In early February, gas prices in Virginia Beach were around two dollars and seventy-five cents a gallon. This price seemed high compared to the one dollar and ninety cents that drivers experienced in COVID times five years prior, according to AAA Gas Prices. Now, gas prices are averaging three dollars and ninety-nine cents and even over four dollars a gallon, with diesel being five seventy-eight on a “good day”.
While some people may be able to afford this extra charge, those being affected the most are the newest demographic of drivers: teens. In order for people who use cars and trucks as a primary source of transportation, these prices could have long lasting, detrimental effects.
“I drive a 2023 Jeep Renegade to and from school, dance, and anywhere else I want or need to go throughout the week,” said junior Kalleigh Wood. “I pay for all my gas out of pocket. My parents occasionally pay for my gas, but the majority of the time, the responsibility falls to me.”
Many factors affect the amount of money students have to spend on gas: car size, amount of time spent driving, how often one fills up their car, etc. Senior Ava Saunders’ experience with driving is a little different from that of the average teenager.
“I drive a Nissan Rogue [that holds] 13 gallons,” said Saunders. “My work pays for my gas, as I drive to different cities a lot for events through my company. I probably drive about 45 mins a day.”
As drivers are primarily affected by the increase in prices, teenagers who have their permits, are about to get their license, or have their license but do not drive anywhere yet, need to prepare themselves for the fluctuating costs.
“I pay attention to gas prices often because I carpool with other people,” said junior Bianca Rodriguez. “I feel bad about [carpooling with the price increase], so I have been checking regularly to see if they are decreasing.”
Similar to the challenges Rodriguez fears, other problems are posed for students who have recently got their license during the time of price inflation.
“The rising cost of fuel concerns me because I see how upset my friends get every time they have to fill up their tanks,” said junior Ryan Zhu. “If prices continue to increase, I am afraid it will limit how often I am able to drive.”
Changes have had to be made. Students are spending less time sitting in their cars, with them running before going into school, or starting their cars to either cool off or warm up. People have also started to fill up when their tank isn’t yet empty, so that the fill-ups can be more sporadic and cost less.
“It has impacted me personally because I haven’t been able to hang out with friends or drive around as much as I used to because I don’t want to waste gas,” said Wood. “Before gas prices spiked, I could take the long way home or sit in my car, but now I don’t because I don’t want to waste gas.”
There are ways to navigate and alleviate the rising prices. Some gas stations have rewards programs, deals on gas, or simply cheaper gas than others.
“There is a gas station on the way to my dance studio that routinely has gas between 5 and 10 cents cheaper than gas closer to my house,” said Wood
Even with rewards, deals, and seeking the cheapest station, it has become increasingly difficult for teens to afford gas.
“My biggest concern is getting laid off from work because my company may no longer be able to afford sending us around for jobs,” said Saunders. “I have a lot of side hustles, and I’m worried about how I can sustain them all, especially this summer when I am working at the oceanfront, which my other job does not cover.”
To fuel or not to fuel, that is truly the question. When fueling, try to find the cheapest gas near you or sign up for a program that grants discounts or rewards. Now that gas prices are rising, getting a license means navigating more than just roads.
