Nearly 7 in 10 drivers say gas prices have taken an emotional toll, most often causing stress, frustration, and anger. Extreme Terrain surveyed 1,000 U.S. drivers to find out which gas-saving habits are catching on, and which ones actually save money. Big or small, no adjustment seems off the table if it helps stretch a tank of gas further.
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The Gas-Saving Hacks Economy: How Far Americans Will Go to Save at the Pump
Extreme Terrain Staff
/ Jul 22 2026
Key Takeaways
- 40% of drivers will drive 10+ minutes out of their way to save on gas, and nearly 1 in 10 (7%) will go 20+ minutes out of their way.
- Drivers report spending an average of $134 per month on gas. Ford owners spend the most ($169/month), and Hyundai owners spend the least ($113/month).
- 56% of drivers have reduced how often they drive overall to save money this year.
- 27% of drivers have skipped vacations this year due to gas prices.
The Gas-Hack Hall of Fame
Drivers have built an entire playbook for stretching every gallon further.
The average American driver spends $134 a month on gas, and many are hunting for ways to bring that number down. Combining errands into one trip is the most common tactic, adopted by 59% of drivers this year, followed by cutting back on driving overall (56%) and comparing prices between gas stations (43%).
Changing routes is another common move: 56% of drivers have adjusted how they get around just to avoid burning extra gas. Toyota drivers are the most likely to have done this (61%), while Hyundai drivers are the least likely (47%).
Some drivers will go even further out of their way for a better price at the pump, about 7 minutes, on average. Forty percent said they'd drive 10 minutes or more, and 7% said they'd drive 20 minutes or more.
How much that detour is worth depends on what's in the driveway. Ford owners spend the most on gas each month ($169), while Hyundai owners spend the least ($113).
Which Gas-Saving Habits Actually Pay Off
Not all gas-saving habits are equally effective. Here are the top 5 that work the best, according to drivers.
Cutting back on driving overall ranked as the most effective tactic, according to 28% of drivers, followed by combining errands into one trip (21%) and comparing gas station prices (10%). Fewer credited a price-finder app (7%) or walking, biking, or public transit (5%) with making much of a difference. Altogether, these habits save the average driver an estimated $28 a month.
Some brands lean harder into specific tactics than others. Nissan owners are the most likely to have cut back on driving overall, at 64% compared with 56% of drivers overall, while 37% of Ford owners avoid weekend or leisure trips to save gas, versus 27% overall.
The Lifestyle Squeeze
For many drivers, cutting gas costs comes at a personal cost, too.
Gas prices are wearing on more than wallets. Sixty-nine percent of Americans said high gas prices have taken an emotional toll on them, most commonly in the form of stress (42%), frustration or anger (39%), and anxiety (31%). Ford owners feel it more than any other brand, with 81% reporting an emotional toll.
Missing a vacation, family time, a get-together with friends, or another special occasion because of gas prices was common; 43% said it's happened to them. Ford owners were hit hardest here, too, with 58% missing out on vacations, family time, or other plans.
To keep up with gas costs, 69% of drivers have cut back on at least one spending category. Dining out took the biggest hit (37%), followed by entertainment (27%), travel/vacations (27%), and clothing/shopping (23%).
Making Small Changes to Save at the Pump
Most drivers aren't relying on just one trick. Combining errands, driving less, and comparing prices nearby add up to real savings. But the toll goes beyond what you're spending at the pump. If gas prices have added stress or cost you a trip this year, you're far from alone, and small changes to how you drive can help you feel more in control.
Methodology
This study is based on a survey of 1,000 American drivers conducted via SurveyMonkey on July 14, 2026. Respondents were 56% female and 44% male, and from the following generations: millennials (48%), Gen X (26%), Gen Z (16%), and baby boomers (10%). For questions that allowed multiple responses, percentages do not sum to 100%. Only brands with 50 or more respondents are included.
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