Rising fuel costs are reshaping the daily decisions of ride-hailing and delivery drivers across the United States. Workers who rely on gig platforms are adjusting routes, rejecting longer trips, and in some cases reconsidering their livelihoods.
The shift reflects a broader strain on a workforce that has grown rapidly over the past decade. According to reporting by The Wall Street Journal, millions of drivers now depend on flexible, app-based income, making them particularly exposed to fluctuations in operating costs such as gasoline.
Drivers Rethink Routes, Hours, and Income Strategies
For many drivers, each ride request has become a financial calculation. Jonathan Meyers, a Los Angeles-based Uber and Lyft driver, now weighs distance, time, and fuel costs within seconds before accepting a fare. According to The Wall Street Journal, he has stopped taking “superlong distances” and instead prioritizes shorter trips that consume less gas.
This change has come at a cost. Meyers estimates a 25% drop in earnings due to declining longer rides, which he tries to offset by working up to 60 hours a week. Gas prices in Los Angeles, which can exceed $6 per gallon, have made these adjustments necessary.
Other drivers are making similar trade-offs. Erika Martinez, who works in the San Francisco Bay Area, has reduced her range and now declines trips beyond certain distances. According to The Wall Street Journal, she limits rides to areas closer than about 40 miles and avoids longer journeys that once formed a regular part of her work.
Fuel expenses are also changing how drivers manage their daily routines. Martinez, for example, no longer waits to refill an empty tank, choosing instead to top off more frequently to avoid paying as much as $80 at once. Her weekly earnings have dropped from around $1,200 to $700, reflecting both rising costs and lower per-ride pay.
Some Workers Cut Costs or Consider Leaving the Sector
Beyond adjusting schedules, some drivers are taking more drastic steps. Joe Davis, a former Uber driver in Santa Fe, now runs an independent car service and has changed both his pricing and vehicle choice. According to the same source, he replaced a BMW X5 with a more fuel-efficient Hyundai Tucson, gaining about eight additional miles per gallon.
Even with those changes, his profits have declined. Davis reports earning $15 to $20 less per airport trip due to higher fuel costs, prompting him to consider raising fares from $80 to $100 for certain customers, while hesitating to increase prices for older clients.
The financial pressure extends beyond work decisions. Davis has reduced personal expenses, canceling streaming subscriptions and limiting dining out. He is also weighing whether to continue offering lower-paying local rides.
Industry-wide, the situation reflects structural pressures. According to a study cited by The Wall Street Journal, the number of people earning income from gig driving rose from fewer than 300,000 in 2014 to about five million in 2023. At the same time, drivers report that algorithm-based pricing has reduced per-ride earnings, tightening margins further as fuel costs climb.
Companies such as Uber and Lyft have introduced limited fuel-related discounts and rewards programs. Still, according to company statements reported by The Wall Street Journal, driver earnings vary widely depending on factors like location, distance, and local fees.
For some drivers, these combined pressures are leading to an exit strategy. Meyers, for instance, is transitioning into mobile notary work, while Martinez is considering returning to a previous job in accounting.
