Most drivers don’t dramatically cut back when gas prices rise, even when gas prices spiked by almost 40% this year, coinciding with the start of the Iran war on Feb. 28.
Jerry analyzed telematics mileage data from around 100,000 monthly users across three years and found that between February through April 2026, the average miles driven still rose 17%.
That’s only slightly below the 20% increase in mileage drivers showed in the same time frames in 2024 and 2025 when gas prices showed smaller increases, suggesting any dampening effect from gas prices on driving is small.
Driving habits stay relatively steady through gas price swings, so optimizing your car insurance premium can be a better way to reduce your overall vehicle costs, especially if you find that you’re still on the road just as much.
The data behind this article
Mileage figures are based on data from Jerry telematics users. Gas prices come from the U.S. All Grades All Formulations Retail Gasoline Prices report, published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
| Month | Average price per gallon | Avg monthly miles per user | Mileage increase vs previous month in same year |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 2024 | $3.33 | 618 | — |
| March 2024 | $3.54 | 726 | 17.5% |
| April 2024 | $3.73 | 745 | 2.6% |
| February 2025 | $3.25 | 933 | — |
| March 2025 | $3.22 | 1,070 | 14.7% |
| April 2025 | $3.30 | 1,121 | 4.8% |
| February 2026 | $3.04 | 1,089 | — |
| March 2026 | $3.77 | 1,265 | 16.2% |
| April 2026 | $4.24 | 1,279 | 1.1% |
What Jerry’s data shows about driving and gas prices
Looking at data from June 2024 through April 2026, the link between gas prices and how much people drive is much weaker than you might assume.
Between February and April 2026, the U.S. average price of gasoline climbed from $3.04 to $4.24 per gallon. Over the same stretch, the average monthly miles per Jerry telematics user rose from 1,089 to 1,279, a 17% jump.
| Month | Average price per gallon | Average monthly miles per Jerry user |
| February 2026 | $3.04 | 1,089 |
| March 2026 | $3.77 | 1,265 |
| April 2026 | $4.24 | 1,279 |
| Change Feb to Apr | +39% | +17% |
To put that 17% mileage jump in context, look at the same three-month window in earlier years. The February-to-April rise has shown up consistently across Jerry’s data. Drivers added about 20% more monthly miles in 2024, the same 20% in 2025, and 17% in 2026, even though gas prices behaved very differently in each year.
| Year | Gas price change | Mileage change |
| 2024 | +12%, modest rise | +20% |
| 2025 | +1.6%, essentially flat | +20% |
| 2026 | +39%, sharp spike | +17% |
In other words, the spring mileage increase is a normal seasonal pattern, and the mileage rise stayed in roughly the same band of 17% to 20%, though 2026’s gas price spike likely shaved a few percentage points off the typical seasonal increase. Drivers may pull back a little when gas gets expensive, but they don’t cut deeply.
Key takeaway: Across 2024, 2025 and 2026, Jerry drivers added 17% to 20% more monthly miles between February and April every year. Gas prices appear to have a small dampening effect when they spike, but they don’t break the seasonal pattern.
Why people don’t drive less when gas gets expensive
Drivers tend to drive the same even when gas prices soar, but this isn’t unique to Jerry’s data. Economists even have a name for it: inelastic demand. When prices rise at the pump, demand for gasoline barely shifts in the short term.
That’s because most driving isn’t optional. Commutes, school runs and grocery trips all add up, and most American households don’t have realistic alternatives like reliable public transit, biking infrastructure or carpools.
Why it matters: Driving is mostly non-discretionary, so people tend to absorb higher gas costs rather than cutting trips. That means your annual mileage is probably more stable than you think — and the estimate you gave your insurer is likely still accurate, even if pricey gas makes it feel like you’re driving less.
How your driving habits affect your car insurance rate
Annual mileage may be used by insurance companies to price your policy. The Insurance Information Institute (III) lists it alongside age, location and driving record as a core rating factor. The more you drive, the more exposure you have to accidents, so the higher your premium tends to be.
Some carriers also offer pay-per-mile coverage, sometimes called usage-based insurance, where part of your premium is based on the actual miles you drive each month. This is often tracked through a small device or a phone app.
If you’ve assumed gas prices have cut your driving, you might underreport your mileage and end up in the wrong bracket. If you’re driving more than you realized, you might be paying for the wrong tier or inadvertently getting a low-mileage car insurance discount you no longer qualify for.
Key takeaway: Mileage is a pricing factor. If your reported mileage doesn’t match what’s actually on your odometer, you’re either overpaying or risking issues at renewal or if you ever need to file a claim.
FAQ
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Do gas prices affect car insurance rates?
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Should I report higher mileage to my insurer if I’m driving more than expected?
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Why don’t people drive less when gas prices go up?
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How do I find the right car insurance for my driving habits?
Xuyun Zeng is a writer and editor with a wide-ranging content background including tech, journalism, cars and health care. After graduating with highest honors in journalism, Xuyun led a newspaper to win eight awards, helped start an award-winning film industry podcast and has written over a hundred articles about cars repair, state laws and insurance. Prior to joining Jerry, Xuyun worked as a freelance SEO consultant with a mission to create the best content that will help readers and grow organic traffic.
Stephanie Colestock is a professional writer, CFEI®, and licensed insurance agent specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, loans, credit/debt, investing, retirement planning, and banking.
Her bylines appear in top-tier publications such as TIME, Fortune, MSN, Business Insider, USA Today, Money, Fox Business, and CBS. Stephanie’s deep understanding of complex financial concepts and her ability to communicate them clearly have made her a trusted voice in the industry.
When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys SCUBA diving, reading a good book, and traveling the world with her family.
