A Creative Approach to High Gas Prices
Mali Hightower, a 30-year-old handyman from Ellenwood, Georgia, has found an unconventional solution to the rising cost of gas. Instead of relying on his 1996 Mercedes-Benz convertible, which costs around $90 to fill up, he uses a modified toy car. By attaching a two-gallon, one-piston engine from a power washer to a broken pink Power Wheels Barbie Dream Camper, Hightower created a vehicle that can take him to the supermarket with ease. One pull of the lawnmower-like rip cord and he's off, knees at his ears, wearing a dirtbike helmet.
Hightower’s creative workaround highlights how high gas prices are influencing everyday decisions across the country. Many Americans, who have long been reliant on their cars—especially less fuel-efficient SUVs and light trucks—are now seeking alternatives like public transit or staying closer to home.
Soaring Gas Prices and Changing Habits
As of May 18, the average price for regular gasoline in the U.S. reached $4.52 per gallon, a significant increase from around $3 before the Iran war started, according to AAA. In an April 28 poll by the Washington Post and ABC News, 44% of Americans reported cutting back on driving due to the rising costs.
For some, the economic pressure has led to unexpected opportunities. Renee Tocci, executive director of Camp Farley in Mashpee, Massachusetts, noticed an increase in fuel costs and decided to promote overnight camp as a cost-saving measure for parents. She began sharing posts online about sending kids to camp, highlighting it as a budget-friendly alternative to constant summer travel.
“Here’s a budgeting tip no one talks about: Send your kids to overnight camp,” one of her posts read.
Embracing Public Transit and New Routines
Content creator Dafne Flores, who drives from Silverdale, Washington, to Los Angeles several times a year, has also adjusted her habits. During her most recent two-month stay, she parked in Glendale and relied on public transit to get around. “We’re used to expensive gas prices, but never this expensive,” said Flores, 28.
Filling her Toyota Highlander now costs at least $95, so she keeps her drives within five miles and avoids stations near freeways, where prices have approached $9 a gallon. On the bus, she can edit videos and avoid parking costs. Online, she has noticed more people her age talking about similar choices: “I’m seeing a lot of videos of people taking the bus.”
This trend is visible nationwide. In Maine, ridership on Bangor’s public bus system has increased by 21% since January, according to transit administrator Laurie Linscott. “It was every walk of life,” she said, noting the diverse demographic of passengers.
Gas Card Giveaways and Community Support
In El Segundo, California, drivers waited over an hour at a gas station where the tourism agency Visit Las Vegas offered up to $100 in gas to the first 100 drivers in line. However, many who arrived were not thinking about vacationing. Robert Jackson of El Segundo said the fuel would only last a few days. “I have to walk and take the train now,” he said. “It’s tough. It really is.”
Segette Frank of Los Angeles used to go shopping across the city, but now she stays close because she doesn’t want to run out of gas. In Chicago, CityPoint Community Church plans to give away $5,000 worth of $25 gas cards in the coming weeks. Pastor Demetrius Davis said they distributed more than 70 cards after Mother’s Day services.
“Transportation is not a luxury for many families,” he said. “It’s survival.”
The Impact on Electric Vehicles
While the current gas price crisis has not led to a surge in electric vehicle purchases, it has validated the choices of existing EV drivers. Tesla owners, in particular, have found themselves in a unique position following last year’s political backlash against CEO Elon Musk.
John Stringer, president of Tesla Owners of Silicon Valley, recently posted a TikTok video showing a gas station sign with sky-high prices. “Oh man, wish that was a problem that I had to deal with,” Stringer says cheekily, before turning the camera toward his Cybertruck.
While meant as a joke, Stringer said his relief is real. “I don’t know the last time I looked at gas prices, except for that video.”
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