This post is part of a series chronicling news coverage of rising gas prices in the United States. See more here.
NBC 5 Chicago talks to people who are cutting back on groceries and traveling as a result of high gas prices
Vi Nguyen cites a survey on gas prices: “73% of drivers say they're spending less on things like dining out, traveling, and entertainment. A quarter of those drivers say they're also cutting back on everyday items like groceries and household goods.”
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From an April 30, 2026, video posted to the website of NBC5Chicago
MARION BROOKS (NBC5CHICAGO ANCHOR): So these high gas prices are forcing people really to kind of change habits and cut back so they can fill up. Vi Nguyen is live for us in Lombard. What are the drivers telling you right now, Vi?
VI NGUYEN (NBC5CHICAGO REPORTER): Hey there, Marion, so everyone is trying to cut back and trying to save right and doing what they can in order to get around. I spoke with several drivers today, they say they're making those changes and doing things differently to get around.
PERSON 1: I'm going to cut back like grocery stuff. I'm going to cut back traveling. You can't, like wander around for no reason. You have to go and come back and that's it. Simple.
PERSON 2: I'm not driving that much. I'm driving very little. So when I fill up, it lasts a long time.
PERSON 3: Before you're able to go out, get something to eat, or just splurge a little bit, now it's not as much that you could splurge because of the gas prices.
PERSON 4: Got to make less trips now. It's — gets to a point where you can't really do what you want to do in a day.
NGUYEN: With Memorial Day right around the corner, AAA says drivers are adjusting vacation plans to save where they can.
MOLLY HART (AAA): What we're also seeing is with the gas prices so high, people are just budgeting differently. And if they're going somewhere, they might stay at a less expensive hotel or just do one night of fine dining and then do more casual and taking advantage of the free activities and outdoor places.
NGUYEN: Numerator, a Chicago-based consumer data and tech company, did a survey on the impact of gas prices. The company surveyed more than 1000 drivers earlier this month. They found drivers are changing their routines, making adjustments, and cutting back on other expenses to afford gas. 73% of drivers say they're spending less on things like dining out, traveling, and entertainment. A quarter of those drivers say they're also cutting back on everyday items like groceries and household goods.
PERSON 1: Not comfortable at all, but what can you do? You don't have much choice. You've got to live with it.