This post is part of a series chronicling news coverage of rising gas prices in the United States. See more here.
CBS Chicago details how rising gas prices are causing issues for rideshare drivers and passengers
Rideshare driver: “There's drivers getting off the road because it doesn't make economic sense to drive anymore, and if there's less drivers, there's less people able to pick you up at the time you need it”
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From a May 4, 2026, video posted to the YouTube channel of CBS Chicago
TARA MOLINA (REPORTER) Rideshare drivers say it's getting harder and harder to continue working here. This gas station behind me, regular gas is going for $5.99 a gallon just under that $6 mark, and we know it's even higher at some Chicago gas stations.
GIOVANNI SUAREZ (RIDESHARE DRIVER) It's not affordable.
MOLINA: Behind the wheel with Giovanni Suarez, a full time rideshare driver in Chicago.
SUAREZ: I'm probably at 400 a week, $400 a week in gas.
MOLINA: With average prices in Chicago up more than 62 cents a gallon in the last week according to GasBuddy.
SUAREZ: I mean, many, many guys are making under minimum wage. It's really this week, I think. It's, I'm feeling it.
MOLINA: Behind the wheel every day for at least six hours a day, he says it's nearly impossible to get by, even with Uber and Lyft paying drivers for mileage.
SUAREZ: They offer 20 cents, even 30 cents a gallon, but gas prices have gone up $2 or more per gallon.
MOLINA: Telling me if you use ride shares to get around the city, you'll feel it soon too, though you likely already have.
SUAREZ: There's drivers getting off the road because it doesn't make economic sense to drive anymore, and if there's less drivers, there's less people able to pick you up at the time you need it.
MOLINA: A spokesperson for the Illinois Drivers Alliance telling me, quote, "with gas prices continuing to rise, full time drivers are barely scraping by. And we're seeing more and more drivers leaving the app because this is no longer sustainable work." Both the Alliance and Suarez tell us gas prices are behind a stronger push to unionize.
SUAREZ: Gas prices are just making it more palpable now.
MOLINA: With just over $5, the average price for a gallon in Chicago right now, that's a $1.62 more than the average a year ago. The national average stands at $4.42 today, all according to GasBuddy. So when could we see some relief?
SAM ORI (INSTITUTE FOR CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH): Well, I think you're starting to see the high price of fuel make its way through all different parts of the economy.
MOLINA: Not anytime soon according to Sam Ori with UChicago.
ORI: If you're looking at the news today, it feels farther than ever. The ceasefire is really fragile at the moment. There was real kinetic activity and attacks in the straight today.