Ask most Americans what's stressing them out about money this summer, and you'll get the same answer: gas.
According to a CreditFresh survey, about 66% of respondents named gas and transportation as their single biggest summer expense — more than groceries, more than travel, more than anything else. If you’ve filled up at the pump recently, you’re probably not surprised.
Respondents could select more than one answer.
People are already stretched thin
Gas prices didn't spike in a vacuum. They went up on top of grocery bills that are already higher than they used to be, rent that hasn't come down, and a general cost of living that's been putting pressure on household budgets for a couple of years now.
So when gas got expensive this spring, for a lot of families, it was the thing that pushed an already tight budget over the edge. The survey reflects that: People who named gas as their top expense were also the most likely to say they're cutting back on dining out, scaling down summer plans, and switching to cheaper brands at the grocery store just to make ends meet.
Why is gas so expensive right now?
There are a few things going on. Conflict in the Middle East earlier this year disrupted global oil supplies and sent crude oil prices higher — and when the cost of oil goes up, gas prices follow pretty quickly. By mid-June, the national average for a gallon of gas had risen nearly 29% compared to the same time last year.
There's also a seasonal factor that kicks in every year regardless of what's happening globally. In the summer, gas stations switch to a special fuel blend required by environmental regulations — it's designed to handle the heat, but it's also more expensive to produce. Combine that with more people driving during the summer months, and prices tend to climb even in a normal year. This year, those seasonal factors landed on top of an already elevated baseline.
Will prices come down?
Possibly, but probably not enough to feel like real relief before summer ends. Prices did start to ease a bit in early June, with the national average dipping after several weeks of declines. That's a good sign, but experts have been cautious about calling it a sustained trend given how much uncertainty remains around global oil supply.
The short answer: gas may be a little cheaper by fall, but for most of this summer, elevated prices are likely here to stay.
Why gas is so hard to plan around
Summer means more driving. School's out, which means more trips for activities and camps. Road trips happen. People are out of the house more. And unlike a lot of summer expenses, gas isn't something you can easily cut or skip — you still need to get where you're going whether or not the price at the pump is convenient.
That's why gas prices tend to put pressure on everything else. When a non-negotiable expense goes up, something else has to give. For most people right now, that's dining out, travel, and the little extras that make summer feel enjoyable.
How to actually spend less on gas this summer
You can't control the price per gallon, but you can control how much you're using and what you're paying for it.
The biggest lever most people have is reducing the number of separate trips they take. Combining your errands, school pickups, and grocery runs into one loop instead of multiple drives throughout the week cuts your fuel consumption without a huge sacrifice. It's one of those changes that sounds small but adds up meaningfully over a full summer.
Where you fill up also makes a difference. Prices at stations a mile or two apart can vary by 30 to 40 cents a gallon — which adds up if you’re getting gas every week. Apps like GasBuddy and Upside show you the cheapest options near you and can even earn you cash back on fill-ups.
If you have a commute or a regular recurring drive, carpooling even a few times a week can make a meaningful dent. It doesn't need to be a formal arrangement — splitting gas with a neighbor or coworker going the same direction a couple times a week adds up over a season.
A few smaller habits worth building: keep your tires properly inflated (underinflated tires use more gas than you'd think), try to avoid hard acceleration and braking when you can, and fill up in the morning when fuel is cooler and you get slightly more per gallon.
And if higher gas costs are making the rest of your summer budget harder to manage, it's worth knowing your options before something unexpected tips the balance.
A personal line of credit, for example, may help if you need something to lean on if costs stack up in ways you didn't plan for. If you would like to learn more about personal lines of credit through CreditFresh, click here.
Gas prices aren't going to fix themselves overnight. But going into summer with a plan for how you buy it — and a financial cushion if you need one — makes the whole season a lot more manageable.
Disclaimer – Survey information is based on aggregated customer responses collected by CreditFresh. Results are for general informational purposes only, and may not reflect all customers.
The information contained herein, including any references to companies or products, is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized financial, legal, tax, or other professional advice. We are not a credit repair organization as defined under federal or state law and we do not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit. We make no representation that we will improve or attempt to improve your credit record, history, or rating through your use of the resources provided through Money101 or the CreditFresh website. The views and opinions expressed by any guest contributors, as applicable, are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of CreditFresh.
