In New York, Mari Hightower found a unique way to cope with rising gas prices by transforming a toy discovered in a trash pile. This 30-year-old handyman from Ellenwood, Georgia, repurposed a two-gallon, one-piston engine from an old washing machine and fitted it into a damaged pink Power Wheels Barbie Dream camper, which stands at under four feet tall. With a simple pull of the ripcord, she zips off to the grocery store, her knees nearly tucked to her ears, all while wearing a dirt bike helmet.
Her actual vehicle, a 1996 Mercedes-Benz convertible, requires around $90 to fill up—something she finds excessive. “That’s too much,” she commented, adding that she’s made modifications to carry groceries on her toy. “When possible, I drive this,” Hightower mentioned.
This unconventional fix highlights how soaring gas prices are influencing daily decisions, prompting many to seek creative solutions. There’s a noticeable shift as people consider alternatives like using public transport or simply staying local. Fuel prices hit an average of $4.52 per gallon on May 18, a steep rise from about $3 prior to the Iran conflict.
According to a recent Ipsos poll that came out on April 28, 44% of Americans reported they were driving less these days.
Some individuals are even seizing opportunities amid economic strain. For instance, Lenny Tocci, who leads Camp Farley in Mashpee, Massachusetts, was inspired to create an overnight camping option for parents dealing with inflated summer activity costs after noticing his gas bill had jumped by nearly $40 for his Buick Enclave. “My colleagues found it funny,” Tocci shared. “Honestly, I thought, let’s share this idea on social media.” She went on to discuss fuel expenses to grow her subscriber base, posting, “Here’s a budgeting tip no one talks about: Send the kids camping overnight.”
“Every step of life”
Daphne Flores, a content creator from Silverdale, Washington, frequently drives to Los Angeles to catch up with friends but recently opted for public transport during a two-month visit. “High gas prices are nothing new, but this is extreme,” observed the 28-year-old. Filling her Toyota Highlander now costs at least $95, leading her to limit trips to five miles and avoid stations with prices climbing near $9 a gallon.
She even edits videos on the bus, seeing savings on parking while noticing many others her age discussing similar choices online. “I’ve been seeing lots of videos of people using buses,” she noted. The trend isn’t isolated; in Bangor, Maine, the public bus system has seen ridership increase by 21% since January, particularly during rush hours.
Transportation Manager Laurie Linscott remarked, “I began observing different demographics; it’s really all walks of life.”
Gasoline card gift
On a Thursday in El Segundo, California, drivers waited long stretches at a gas station while the local tourism board offered $100 in gas to the first hundred drivers to promote travel. Yet many who arrived weren’t focused on vacations. Robert Jackson from El Segundo noted that the fuel would last just a few days. “I’ll have to walk and catch the train now,” he remarked. “It’s challenging, definitely.”
Another local, Seget Frank, shared that she used to drive throughout the city for shopping but has limited her movements to conserve fuel, saying, “I’m staying close now to avoid running out of gas.”
Meanwhile, in Chicago, the City Point Community Church plans to distribute $25 gas cards, part of a larger $5,000 initiative. Pastor Demetrius Davis mentioned that he had already handed out over 70 cards following a Mother’s Day service, emphasizing, “For many families, transportation isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity.”
So far, there hasn’t been an immediate spike in prices due to the ongoing crisis, but it has validated those who currently drive electric vehicles, especially Tesla owners who faced backlash last year. John Stringer, chairman of the Tesla Owners of Silicon Valley, recently shared a TikTok video showcasing outrageously high gas prices, jokingly saying, “Man, I wish that was a problem I had to deal with,” all while showing off a Cybertruck.
While he may have been joking, the relief felt by electric vehicle owners is genuine. “Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I even looked at gas prices,” he added.
