Have YOU Changed Your Driving Habits Because Of Soaring Gas Prices?

[arwalden]

Poll question: Have YOU Changed Your Driving Habits Because Of Soaring Gas Prices?

Just wondering... how's it affecting you? Fewer trips? More combined errands? Shorter (closer) driving vacations? Canceled driving vacations?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2267992&mesg_id=2267992

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are driving less, trimming vacations and cutting back on heating and air conditioning, according to an AP-Ipsos poll taken as gasoline prices in many areas have topped $3 a gallon.
Seven in 10 say gas prices are causing a financial pinch. And that pressure is being felt increasingly by middle-income and higher-income families.

[SmileyBoy]

1. I've procured a discount card at my local gas station.

The Loaf-N-Jug next to my campus generally has some of the lowest prices in the city, and I save an extra 5 cents per gallon every time I fill up. That's 62 or 63 cents saved on every tank fill.

Also, this site helps me out a lot: http://www.gasbuddy.com

[Mutley]

2. I changed my driving habits last summer during the spike.

I can't drive any less than I already do.

[Broken_Hero]

3. same here

I started cutting back big time, when gas was around 1.90...and nowadays, i would be HAPPY, to see gas that cheap again. We cannot cut back anymoer, than what we are...unless my wife wants to jog 85-90 miles a day, for going to and back from work....no public transit, in this area, only other option is having her live at work, buy her a cot...:)

[Mutley]

5. With a commute like that she practically lives at work anyway...

:P

[Broken_Hero]

10. Yeah

that will probably be the case here pretty soon, in July, she is up for her evaluation/pay raise, and she is being sought after for management. When you are management, at her job, you have to spend a LOT more time at work...I tease her all the time..."when you become management babe, i will buy you a cot for your cubicle, and then I have to start going through mistress resume's"...:) I always get a nice kick in my shins, when i jab her like that...:)

[Mutley]

11. You're lucky you don't end up sleeping on the couch.

;)

[Broken_Hero]

12. yeah, yeah, I know...:) n/t

[Broken_Hero]

4. the thing we changed

no more joy rides, on sunny afternoons to the park, or sight seeing...combining all our errands into one trip. And staying home all the time...it gets rather frustrating, when gas prices, determine how you live your lifestyle, but every know and then, we cut loose, and go for a ride, can only stay home, for so long...

[AmyDeLune]

6. I don't drive...

I also don't own a cell phone or an iPod. I'm soOoo Last Century. :P

[SeattleGirl]

8. EARLY last century, Amy!

:P :hi:

[AmyDeLune]

15. As long as I don't have to wear a corset...

I can live with that! :hi:

[SeattleGirl]

7. No change here, because I work from home.

I have done this for over 4 years. My "commute" is walking downstairs. I do have to go out on appointments occasionally. I know that this is not an option for the majority of people, but I'm glad I have it as an option.

[Midlodemocrat]

28. Me, too. But I walk upstairs.

[Sanity Claws]

9. I now use public transit and my bicycle about 70-80% of the time

I started making the changes late last year, before the gas prices really took off. I commute by bus and when the days are nice, I ride my bicycle. On weekends, I sometimes use my bike to run errands. Huge difference and it is not as bad as I thought it would be. I read a lot more since I started taking the bus.

[electron_blue]

13. No, but I'm lucky. I have a very short commute

and locked in gas prices last winter. Sooner or later it'll catch up with me, in the form of higher groceries, utilities and whatnot. I'm thinking what else can I scale back on.

[In_The_Wind]

14. I try to combine as much as possible into one trip.

[qnr]

16. Not really, I mostly use a 50cc scooter n/t

[Madrone]

17. No change yet.

I don't drive much - and live close to work.

I did just get a bike though (yay!), and will probably start riding that to work a couple of times a week. I usually take my dog with me in the car, so he's going to be bumming when I ride and have to leave him behind in his crate. :(

Anyway - the change w/ the bike has everything to do with health and lessening consumption - but really nothing to do with the current gas prices. I wanted to do this anyway.

BTW - just filled up today at the grocery store --- $3.21/gallon!!!! What utter bullshit.

[skygazer]

18. I've always been careful about my habits

That's why some of the perks to limit consumption really irk me. PG & E has a thing where if you cut your power usage by a certain amount compared to last year, you get a rebate or something. To me, that means that those who have been wasting are getting a kickback but those who have tried to conserve for years get nothing. :grr:

I've always lived in rural areas so it's a habit to me to combine trips, to make one large shopping trip instead of running to the store for a gallon of milk and I've alwasy driven cars with good gas mileage.

[arwalden]

19. I'm Combining Errands...

... instead of several quick trips throughout the week, I'll postpone the little things and make a list, then plan my route to do it all with the least amount of driving. I'm also shopping at a grocery store that's not as nice as my usual one, but closer.

[Rabrrrrrr]

20. What kills me are the assholes who cancel trips because of high gas price.

I remember hearing a lot of that in the news last year - for God's sake, even in a jump from $2 to $3 a gallon, a trip cross country will only cost a hundred or so more bucks. Considering the amount they were planning to spend on hotels, meals, and other things, the extra cost in gas is irrelevant.

Typical American assholery to just blame the "high price of gas" for cancelling a trip, which cancellation is done solely so they can bitch and piss and moan and have something to tell their friends.

"Yep, this high price is so goddamn out of control, we cancelled our week long trip to a place 100 miles away".

[xmas74]

30. We've had to cancel one of our trips this summer.

The difference is we don't spend money on hotels and such-we just don't have the money for it.

Most of our trips are within the state or maybe a crossing into a bordering state (easy to do, considering how many states Missouri borders). We tend to pack our own food and find a campground. Most of our trip is hiking, swimming, camping, fishing, looking at the stars and visiting inexpensive sites in the area.

We had planned on a float trip this year but, with the additional price of gas and groceries going up, I know that we cannot afford it this time around. I'm hoping a couple of nearby two day campouts will make the little one happy this year with a focus on completing some Girl Scout badges.

[Love Bug]

21. Just slight changes

I've always grouped my errands so I can make them on my way home from work. I drive a Saturn that gets 25mpg, but I have been making an effort to drive the speed limit instead of 5 over.

[wildhorses]

22. It has cramped my style in a MAJOR way.

Riding the roads has always been a favorite pastime. I am used to making weekend turnaround trips.
Now I make monthly turnaround trips. *sigh*

[Omphaloskepsis]

23. I don't drive...

My bike/skateboard/bus/train/feet get me around.. I'm 28 years old.

[BigMcLargehuge]

24. drive by necessity only now

and much less visiting

[Bossy Monkey]

25. No, but I've ramped up my syphoning habit

Gotta put all that huffing to use after all! (Kidding-- twice)

[Overheated_inAz]

36. Hope you dont live

Close to the freeper on post #108... lol
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1628544/posts?q=1&&page=101#108

[xmas74]

26. I'm looking into a used bike.

I want one of those old three-wheeled jobs w/ the large basket in the back and a decent size on attached to the front. That would be perfect to pace w/ my daughter as we ride across town and great for groceries.

I'm already purchasing a used mountain bike from a coworker. I have to ride out about four miles on a country road to work and I figure that will get me there faster than the bike I'm looking for.

[RebelOne]

27. I really don't have to change my driving habits.

My commute to work is 26 miles round trip. And I have all types of shopping within a 5-mile radius of my house.

[progressoid]

29. Purched a Toyota Matrix instead of a Subaru for the added milage last year

I figure I got an extra 3600 miles.

[Kelli372]

31. I'm commuting to work by bicycle now

Luckily, there are a lot of rails-to-trails systems around Pittsburgh, and one close to my house that leads into town. It's a beautiful ride back and forth everyday, along the riverside. Although the actual riding in downtown can be harrowing at times. It's a great work-out too..saving money on bus fare, gas, and the gym all in one.

[huskerlaw]

32. No change, but...

I take public transportation to work 4 days a week already. Taking it the 5th day is a bit impractical, but it may come to that.

Otherwise, I drive to get things like groceries or for entertainment purposes (going to movies, the beach, etc.). I have a car with good gas mileage, so I haven't changed that yet.

[Patiod]

33. Just feeling a LOT better about taking the train to work!

We put very few miles on our car.

[Debbi801]

34. I got rid of my 20 mpg guzzler and bought a hybrid over the weekend. (nt)

[terrya]

35. Nope....I still take public transportation and walk.

Thank goodness for the CTA.

[NV Whino]

37. My driving habits changed before gas prices soared

I'm driving smarter--consolidating trips. And...
Got rid of the piece of shit Ford ranger that got 21 to 27 mpg. Got rid of the excellent Celica 30 to 35 mpg. Bought a Honda Fit 33 to 38 mpg.

[6000eliot]

38. I mostly just drive back and forth to work.