As gas prices climb back above $4 a gallon for the first time in four years, many Americans aren’t just feeling it at the pump, it’s hitting their entire household budget.
A new survey of more than 3,000 drivers by Advance America finds most people have a tipping point, where rising gas prices force real financial trade-offs.
For Ohio drivers, that number is $4.62 per gallon.
At the time of the survey in early April, gas prices were sitting at $3.86, just 76 cents away from that threshold. That puts Ohio right in the middle nationally, ranking 23rd.
Across the country, that breaking point varies widely. Vermont drivers are closest to theirs, just 17 cents away, while Alaska drivers report the most cushion, saying they wouldn’t cut back until prices hit over $6 a gallon.
When prices rise, most Ohioans start with non-essentials:
41% cut back on dining out or takeout
29% scale back travel and leisure
13% say they’d reduce grocery spending
3% would even cut healthcare or medications
How people cope
Before making major changes, most drivers try small adjustments:
40% say they’d drive less
19% would combine trips
17% would look for extra income
More drastic moves, like switching jobs or using public transportation, are far less common.
The hidden toll isn’t just financial, it’s emotional. Nearly half of respondents say they feel very or extremely stressed about gas prices.
Another third report some level of stress, while 43% say they’ve canceled plans because of fuel costs and another 37% say they’ve relied on credit or borrowing.
