Numerator: Drivers looking for new ways to save on gas — here's how
The overwhelming majority of vehicle owners are changing their fill-up habits in order to save money amid spiking prices.
New survey data from Numerator reveals that 95% of drivers have noticed the increase in gas prices coinciding with the conflict in Iran. More than three-quarters (78%) of drivers said they have noted prices rise significantly in the past month, while another 17% said they noticed a slight increase.
Nearly all (93%) drivers are taking steps to save money on gas, resorting to using gas station loyalty programs or apps (45%), choosing gas stations based on price rather than convenience (36%), filling up at lower-priced locations like club stores (32%), and redeeming grocery or retail fuel points (26%).
[READ MORE: Survey: Consumers trading down, consolidating trips because of fuel costs]
Nearly eight-in-10 (78%) drivers told Numerator they are trying to limit the amount of gas they use overall by combining trips (36%), driving less (35%) and avoiding non-essential trips (31%). Adjusting driving habits to be more fuel-efficient (20%) and delaying or cancelling longer driving trips (15%) were also common tactics to save money.
In addition to drinking to find cheaper gas and consolidating trips, 73% of drivers say that high prices have resulted in them cutting spending from other categories, including dining out/takeout (43%), travel (30%), and entertainment (29%). A sizable portion of drivers also cut spending on everyday items like groceries (28%) and household goods (24%).
Numerator’s survey found that drivers are also worried about potential implications on rising gas costs on other areas, including the impact on the price of everyday goods (56%), uncertainty about how high gas prices will go (49%), the impact on utility costs (49%), the impact on delivery or shipping costs (41%) and the impact on travel costs (41%). Nearly a third (31%) of those surveyed said they are concerned about the possibility of gas shortages or limited availability.
Numerator’s Gas Prices survey was fielded on April 2, 2026 to 1,025 U.S. vehicle owners who made a purchase in the gas & convenience channel in March 2026.
