South Florida Businesses and Gig Workers Add Fuel Surcharges as Prices Soar

Major carriers and small companies pass higher costs onto customers to offset rising transportation expenses

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:38pm

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An abstract illustration featuring bold geometric shapes in shades of blue, orange, and gray, conceptually representing the financial pressures of rising fuel costs on local businesses and gig workers in South Florida.Geometric shapes and colors convey the economic strain of rising fuel prices on South Florida's businesses and gig workers.Today in Miami

Businesses and gig workers across South Florida are adding fuel surcharges to their services as gas prices have skyrocketed, with large delivery carriers, local electricians, and roofing companies all passing the higher costs onto customers to maintain profits.

Why it matters

The rise in fuel prices is squeezing profits for businesses and gig workers who rely on vehicles for their operations, forcing them to add surcharges that could impact consumers and the overall economy in the region.

The details

Major delivery carriers like UPS, FedEx, Amazon, and the U.S. Postal Service have added fuel surcharges, which are now trickling down to local businesses. Uber and Lyft driver Haresh Pahilwani is spending nearly $20 more per fill-up, while electrician Johnny Farias and roofer Xavier Miranda are adding $10-$15 per job and a $60 surcharge per order, respectively, to offset the higher transportation costs.

  • Gas prices in the region have risen from $2.98 per gallon in February to $3.99 per gallon as of April 2026.

The players

Haresh Pahilwani

An Uber and Lyft driver in Homestead, Florida who is experiencing higher fuel costs that are eating into his profits.

Johnny Farias

An electrician in South Florida who is adding $10-$15 surcharges to each job to cover rising transportation costs.

Xavier Miranda

The owner of Top Florida Roofing, who is receiving $60 fuel surcharges from suppliers that he must pass on to customers.

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What they’re saying

“If there's a surge, I make it worth it, but otherwise I'm making exactly the same money while spending more on gas.”

— Haresh Pahilwani, Uber and Lyft Driver

“I try not to add too much because then you might start losing customers. But I usually charge at least $10 to $15 per customer. That way, if the job is close, it makes up for the longer trips.”

— Johnny Farias, Electrician

“It's across the board. I've gotten that from all my suppliers, wherever I go.”

— Xavier Miranda, Owner, Top Florida Roofing

What’s next

Economists will be closely watching whether the fuel surcharges lead to broader inflation in the region, as businesses pass on the higher costs to consumers.

The takeaway

The surge in fuel prices is forcing businesses and gig workers across South Florida to add surcharges, squeezing profits and potentially impacting consumers, in a sign of the broader economic strain caused by rising transportation costs.