Rising prices at the pump have left many U.S. consumers wary. Gas prices in the United States hit an average of $4.30 per gallon at the end of April, as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continued to disrupt the global oil supply.
To learn more about how this is impacting household behaviors and budgets, Numerator is surveying vehicle owners who shopped at the gas & convenience channel in the past month. The first Verified Voices survey in this series was fielded on April 2 to over 1,000 consumers, followed by a second wave fielded on May 1. *This article was originally published on April 9, 2026, and was updated on May 5. Unless otherwise stated, all figures below reflect the latest wave of survey data.
Key Impacts of Rising Gas Prices in April 2026
- 93% of drivers said gas prices in their area increased last month (-1.4 pts vs. March)
- 92% looked for ways to save money on their gas purchases (-1.1 pts)
- 78% tried to reduce the amount of gas they used (+0.4 pts)
- 58% said rising gas prices impacted their ability to afford other everyday expenses (-3.2 pts)
- 72% have cut back on other spending due to rising gas prices (-0.9 pts)
Current Conditions
Have consumers noticed rising gas prices?
Gas prices are a key reference point for many Americans when it comes to affordability, with 65% of drivers filling up their tanks at least once a week. Nearly every driver in our survey reported higher gas prices in their area—77% said prices rose significantly in the past month, and another 16% said they noticed a slight increase. These numbers softened slightly compared to March, when prices surged more than $1 per gallon over the course of the month. April gas prices remained elevated, but dipped slightly mid-month before jumping nearly 30 cents over the course of a week.
More than half of drivers (56%) reported gas prices over $4 per gallon in their area in April, nearly double what we saw in March (32%). Another third (33%) reported prices between $3.50 and $3.99, down from 46% last month. Urban drivers and those living in the Western U.S. were more likely to report prices over $4 per gallon (67% and 83%, respectively).
How are higher gas prices impacting other household spending?
58% of drivers said rising gas prices have moderately or significantly impacted their ability to afford other expenses in the past month, down three points from March. This impact is more pronounced among low income households (71%) and those in areas with higher gas prices, like the Western U.S. (66%). 72% of drivers say that higher gas prices have resulted in them cutting spending from other categories, including dining out/takeout (43%), travel (32%), groceries (30%), and entertainment (30%). Savings/investments (+2.8 pts vs. March), travel (+2.3 pts), groceries (+2 pts), and apparel/accessories (+2 pts) saw the most pull back month-over-month.
Navigating Rough Terrain
What are drivers doing to save money on gas?
In the past month, 92% of drivers looked for ways to save money at the pump. The top methods included using gas station loyalty programs or apps (47%), filling up at lower-priced locations like club stores (36%), choosing gas stations based on price rather than convenience (34%), and using a credit card with fuel rewards or cash back (27%). Despite feeling the impact of rising gas prices more significantly, low income drivers were less likely to engage in many of these savings methods. However, they were more likely than other groups to switch to lower-priced fuel grades (5%) or to put less gas in the tank at a time (22%). This suggests a need to prioritize lower absolute price per fill-up occasion, rather than long-term savings strategies
In addition to saving on gas purchases, 78% of drivers are also trying to reduce the amount of gas they use overall. The most common tactics include combining trips (41%), driving less overall (37%), avoiding non-essential trips (35%), adjusting driving habits to be more fuel-efficient (22%), and delaying or cancelling longer driving trips (16%). 8% of urban drivers are relying more on public transit, biking or walking, and 13% of high income drivers are working from home or reducing commuting days. Nearly all gas-saving tactics saw growth in April versus March.
Looking Down The Road
How will rising gas prices impact future consumer spending?
Looking ahead, 44% of drivers say they’re concerned about their ability to afford gas in the next few months, down slightly from 47% in March. Most drivers believe gas prices will continue to rise—nearly two-thirds (63%) think May gas prices will be somewhat or significantly higher than April. If prices do rise, 84% of drivers say they’ll consider pulling spending from other areas. Intended pull-backs largely mirror categories already reported for current cuts, though more discretionary categories rise to the top of the list: dining out/takeout (58%), travel (48%), entertainment (46%), large purchases like electronics or home goods (41%), and apparel or accessories (37%).
On the opposite end of the spectrum, rising gas prices have the potential to increase spending in an adjacent area: fuel-efficient vehicles. 21% of drivers say that if gas prices continue to increase over the next few months, they’d consider purchasing a new or used vehicle with lower fuel costs. Hybrid vehicles receive the most consideration (11%), followed by gas-powered vehicles with better fuel efficiency (10%), and electric vehicles (5%).
What worries do consumers have regarding gas prices or the gas market?
Beyond what they’re paying at the pump, many drivers are concerned about the broader implications of high gas prices. They are worried about how gas prices will impact the cost of other products and services, including everyday goods (60%), utilities (48%), travel (45%), and shipping & delivery (44%), They’re also concerned about possible gas shortages or limited availability (34%), not being able to drive as much as they’d like (33%), and having to cancel or delay plans (30%).
The Path Forward
How can businesses prepare for the impact of rising gas prices?
In uncertain times, flexibility is key, and businesses that keep an ongoing pulse on consumer concerns and needs will be better positioned to adjust strategies on the fly. Purchase data from verified buyers can help measure your business’s exposure to the gas and convenience channel and track which categories experience noteworthy shifts as gas prices rise. Strategies will also heavily depend on regionality and shopper base demographics, so access to high-quality, segmented datasets can help companies make informed decisions. To learn more about custom research opportunities, reach out to your Numerator representative or get in touch with our team.
