Bay Area 'Super Commuters' Struggle with Soaring Gas Prices

Commuters from cities like Roseville face $500 monthly gas bills amid Iran conflict and price volatility

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:23am by Ben Kaplan

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A minimalist illustration using bold geometric shapes and primary colors to conceptually represent the impact of rising gas prices on Bay Area super commuters, without any text or identifiable elements.As gas prices soar, Bay Area super commuters face mounting financial strain from their long drives to work.San Francisco Today

As gas prices in California approach $6 per gallon, Bay Area residents who are categorized as 'super commuters' - driving 90 minutes or more to work - are being hit hard by the rising costs. One commuter from Roseville to San Francisco says his monthly gas expense has averaged $500 since the start of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, forcing him to pick up odd jobs to offset the costs.

Why it matters

Super commuters make up 3-5% of the Bay Area workforce, and this group is particularly vulnerable to spikes in gas prices that they have little control over. The volatility in oil and gas markets is exacerbating the financial strain on these long-distance commuters who have limited options to reduce their driving.

The details

Carlos Martinez, a super commuter from Roseville to San Francisco, says his weekly gas costs have risen to around $100, up from an average of $60-70 before the recent price surge. Martinez has had to stay with family in Walnut Creek or San Mateo to offset the increased commuting costs. The Trump administration's temporary ceasefire order with Iran caused crude oil prices to drop $15 per barrel, but energy experts warn the market will remain volatile.

  • In March 2026, Martinez's monthly gas expense averaged $500.
  • On Tuesday night, the Trump administration ordered a two-week ceasefire in Iran, causing crude oil prices to drop around $15 per barrel.

The players

Carlos Martinez

A super commuter who drives from Roseville to San Francisco twice a week for his job in the city.

Severin Borenstein

An energy expert and professor at UC Berkeley who commented on the volatility in crude oil and gasoline prices.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, you watch numbers keep going up, and you just pray that the numbers stop, and it just keeps going.”

— Carlos Martinez, Super Commuter

“The moment that President Trump announced the ceasefire, the price of crude oil dropped about $15 per barrel. It was up around $110, and it ended around $95; that difference will start to show up in the price of gasoline.”

— Severin Borenstein, Energy Expert and Professor, UC Berkeley

What’s next

Energy experts predict the gas price volatility will continue, leaving super commuters like Carlos Martinez uncertain about future costs and whether relief is on the horizon.

The takeaway

The plight of Bay Area super commuters illustrates how rising gas prices can disproportionately impact lower-income workers with long commutes, underscoring the need for improved public transit options and policies that support sustainable transportation alternatives.