Have you driven any less with increased gas prices?

[RedShirt]

Hello,

First I would like to say that I know several people that ***MUST*** drive every single day to work, get groceries, etc. This is driving that really can't be cut (unless you can carpool etc, but for some that is not an option).

I know several people who complain about gas prices, but then climb into their vehicles and drive around normally, not cutting consumption one bit. In fact, I've have heard that overall gas consumption is actually increasing slightly (I heard this on the radio, I can't remember what show)

My question is, have you made any conscious decisions to ***NOT*** drive somewhere because of high gas prices?

I'll give an example that pertains to my life:
I usually drive, every few weeks, 100 miles (200 round trip) to visit some high school friends. I have stopped this because the trip costs me over $30 in gas.

I have also been ordering more things online, even small, inexpensive purchases to simply not have to make as many trips around town.

Please Discuss!

 

[illusion88]

yeah I don't drive to the store...
But other than hat I drive to work and to school (too far away to ride and the bus system doesn't work for my schedule).

 

[soydios]

Well, I just finished high school, so I'm not commuting 40 miles round-trip each weekday anymore.

 

[Eeezee]

Yes, I have. But it hasn't been a conscious effort, I just have fewer places to go right now (school year is over, and I live near just about anything I need and my car already gets good mileage).

I've been meaning to fill up my tank in fact since the prices are probably only going to rise. Some experts say it'll reach $4/gallon by summer's end. I want to fill up my tank before that happens, even if it's a minor, insignificant victory =p

 

[jamesbond007]

No, not really. I do a lot of driving around town to do photo shoots and computer jobs, alongside of school and work. Thus, I drive where I have to, but I don't ever go galavanting or leisure driving.

 

[judasmachine]

I bike to the bank, store, and that. I also incorporate groceries into my commute, on the way home I stop at the grocery store. And again, I drive a lot slower these days too. I made it a game to see how low I can keep the RPMs without becoming a speed bump for the SUV @80MPH crowd.

 

[b0mbrman]

People will not drive less -- nor drive smaller, less powerful cars -- as long as it takes less effort to just complain about it.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

YAGasT.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

I'd say I drive a bit slower on the highways trying to keep it at 65mph or under. (best gas mileage for my car is around 55-60mph)

Less? Not noticeably - there are some stores 1-2 miles away that I can't bike to because of the weight of what I'll bring back, but I'll combine that into a larger trip instead of going out specifically for it.

I'd say that my driving is just for essentials... Whenever I went between school and home during the year on the weekends, I'd always have at least 1 other person if not 2 or 3. That's the only time I could almost consider not essential though.

 

[Eli]

I have, but not necessarily because of gas prices.

My car isn't operational right now, so I'm driving the truck - which gets 13MPG, on a good day.

You have to do what you have to do. If I was commuting to work, it's not like I would be able to stop.

 

[HiTek21]

I only drive when I need to, I cut down on excessive side trips unless its on my way home from work.

I also find myself using cruise control on the freeway and checking my tire pressure weekly

 

[Saga]

I get 70mpg. Gas prices really don't bother me when it costs me maybe $12 every two weeks.

 

[rh71]

Only if I were a student with little / no income and debt to pay would I worry about gas prices.

 

[HombrePequeno]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
People will not drive less -- nor drive smaller, less powerful cars -- as long as it takes less effort to just complain about it.

The Europeans it would seem have more to complain about than us but they don't and do drive smaller, more fuel efficient cars.

 

[TheChort]

$0.50 increase * 12gallons a week = $6/week or $24/month
(2003 VW GTI)

Meh, not that big of a deal. The same as 3 fast food runs, or one night's dinner/beer. I can cut back on that kind of stuff for the convenience of being able to drive.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: HombrePequeno

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
People will not drive less -- nor drive smaller, less powerful cars -- as long as it takes less effort to just complain about it.

The Europeans it would seem have more to complain about than us but they don't and do drive smaller, more fuel efficient cars.

That would validate his point. :laugh:

 

[zylander]

I have, but its only partially because of gas prices. My car has issues right now and the reg is expired, I also dont do much anymore. I drive to school and then come back home. If I do go out and can take the bus or subway I will.

 

[Random Variable]

Originally posted by: HombrePequeno

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
People will not drive less -- nor drive smaller, less powerful cars -- as long as it takes less effort to just complain about it.

The Europeans it would seem have more to complain about than us but they don't and do drive smaller, more fuel efficient cars.

and yet European carmakers manufacture many of the least fuel-efficient vehicles and sell them to Americans

 

[BabaBooey]

Yes,much less..

 

[Rapidskies]

Originally posted by: Izusaga
I get 70mpg. Gas prices really don't bother me when it costs me maybe $12 every two weeks.

Motorcycle?

 

[krunchykrome]

I havent cut my driving down at all. In fact, I planned another trip in a few weeks.

 

[OpenThirdEye]

I stopped caring about the price at the pump a while ago. I drive just as much now as I did in the past. I have an 06 VW GTI, so it's decent with gas anyways.

 

[luckysnafu]

I have been riding my bicycle to work for over 2 years now. I have already logged over 1200 miles this year and usually only fill up the gas tank in my car once a month unless I go on a long trip.

 

[Danman]

Nope. I have to drive 40 miles RT to my job and I'll do errands whenever needed. I can't do anything about that.

 

[Zolty]

Nope I still put on an average of 150 miles / month