Soaring Gas Prices Squeeze Gig Workers and Small Businesses

Drivers who rely on their own vehicles for work face a double whammy as fuel costs surge

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:23pm

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A geometric abstract illustration using clean lines, triangles, and rectangles in shades of dark gray, blue, and green to conceptually represent the economic strain of rising gas prices on workers who rely on their own vehicles.Soaring fuel costs create a heavy burden for workers who drive for a living, squeezing their budgets and livelihoods.Oakland Today

Rising gas prices are taking a heavy toll on workers who use their personal vehicles for their jobs, from Uber drivers to delivery workers to small business owners. With the average U.S. gas price jumping 34% in just a month due to the war in Ukraine, many of these workers are struggling to make ends meet as their fuel costs skyrocket but their pay or reimbursement rates have not kept up.

Why it matters

Millions of Americans rely on driving as a core part of their jobs, whether they are gig workers, delivery drivers, or small business owners. The sharp spike in gas prices is squeezing their budgets and forcing them to work longer hours just to cover the increased fuel costs, putting a strain on their livelihoods.

The details

Uber driver Leslie Sherman-Shafer in the San Francisco Bay Area used to pay around $25 to fill up her Toyota Corolla, but now it costs her closer to $40. Housekeeping company Alpine Maids in Denver pays its cleaners the federal mileage reimbursement rate, but that money no longer goes as far. Doggy Lama Pet Care in Oakland has raised its gas reimbursement rate to 80 cents per mile, but the owner is also dipping into savings to cover the higher costs. Delivery driver Sarah Noell in Lynchburg, Virginia has started refusing orders that don't average out to $1 per mile, as the $2.50 per order she gets from DoorDash is no longer enough to cover her fuel expenses.

  • The war in Ukraine began on February 28, 2026, disrupting global oil supplies.
  • The national average price for gas reached $3.99 per gallon on March 30, 2026, up 34% from a month earlier.

The players

Leslie Sherman-Shafer

An Uber driver in the San Francisco Bay Area who has seen her fuel costs rise sharply.

Chris Willatt

The owner of Alpine Maids, a housekeeping company in Denver that pays its cleaners a mileage reimbursement rate that no longer covers their increased gas expenses.

Molly Kenefick

The owner of Doggy Lama Pet Care in Oakland, California, who has raised her company's gas reimbursement rate to 80 cents per mile for employees who use their own vehicles.

Sarah Noell

A delivery driver in Lynchburg, Virginia who has started refusing orders that don't average out to $1 per mile due to the high cost of gas.

Rachel Hunter

The co-founder of Cactus Crew Junk Removal & Thrift Store in Phoenix, whose diesel truck fuel costs have skyrocketed.

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What they’re saying

“We don't get reimbursed for gas. We rely on the generosity of the tip.”

— Leslie Sherman-Shafer, Uber driver

“Our maids drive their own cars, so it's kind of like their paycheck got smaller.”

— Chris Willatt, Owner, Alpine Maids

“The economy is hard for people. Everybody's under strain. I can take some of the load and the company can take some of the load, provided this doesn't go on too long.”

— Molly Kenefick, Owner, Doggy Lama Pet Care

“It takes nearly double the cost to fill my tank. Ten dollars used to get me a decent amount. Now it only gets me 3 gallons.”

— Sarah Noell, Delivery driver

“We don't want to get a bad name for being overpriced. I'll be able to explain it where people can understand, but it doesn't mean they can afford it.”

— Rachel Hunter, Co-founder, Cactus Crew Junk Removal & Thrift Store

What’s next

Experts predict gas prices will remain elevated as long as the war in Ukraine continues, leaving workers who rely on their own vehicles in a precarious position. Some companies are exploring ways to provide more support, such as increasing mileage reimbursement rates or offering fuel-specific bonuses, but the long-term impact on these workers' livelihoods remains uncertain.

The takeaway

The surge in gas prices is creating a double burden for workers who use their personal vehicles for their jobs, from gig economy drivers to small business owners. While some companies are trying to help offset the increased costs, many workers are being forced to work longer hours or accept less profitable jobs just to keep up with skyrocketing fuel expenses, highlighting the vulnerability of this segment of the workforce.