A total of 59 percent of drivers planned to make changes to their driving habits or lifestyle if the cost of gasoline rose to $4 a gallon, according to a AAA survey.
The survey was conducted Feb. 18-21 of 1,051 drivers providing sample coverage of approximately 97 percent of the U.S. household population. When the survey was conducted, the average price per gallon was $3.53 – a price 66 percent of participants said was too expensive.
Since March 9, the national average has risen 70 cents.
If gas prices rose above $5, three-quarters said they would adjust their lifestyle to offset the increase. The majority said they would drive less.
Drivers between 18 and 34 years old were nearly three times as likely as those 35 and older to consider carpooling. A total of 29 percent of those 18 to 34 years old would consider carpooling compared to 11 percent of those 35 and older.
Drivers 35 and older were more likely to combine trips and errands and reduce shopping or dining out.
The survey also discovered that 52 percent of Americans have made vacation plans, and 42 percent will not consider changing their travel plans regardless of gas prices. This means gas prices will not likely impact summer travel, AAA said.