ownership costs force 8 in 10 americans to alter driving habitsSurging gasoline prices, sky-high auto insurance premiums, and rising shop maintenance fees have pushed the cost of vehicle ownership to record levels. According to a recent survey of 2,001 U.S. consumers conducted by LendingTree, an overwhelming 81 percent of Americans report changing their driving or transportation habits over the past year specifically to offset rising operational expenses.Rather than giving up their keys entirely, drivers are adopting strategic workarounds. Combining errands into single trips leads the pack as the most common adjustment at 38 percent, followed by cutting back overall driving distance (31%) and actively searching for cheaper fuel options prior to gas station fill-ups (28%).ownership costs force 8 in 10 americans to alter driving habits, Image Konia4kaImage: Konia4kaGasoline Prices Drive Behavioral ShiftsThe study reveals that 54 percent of drivers modified their total annual mileage over the past twelve months-with 20 percent driving less and 34 percent actually driving more due to life demands like long commutes. Among those cutting back on driving, high pump prices were cited as the primary catalyst by 64 percent of respondents, followed by medical conditions (24%) and broader household financial constraints (20%).AdvertisementAdvertisementMonthly transportation budgets are feeling the strain across all demographics:Under $100/month: 30% of households$100 to $249/month: 26% of households$250 to $499/month: 20% of households$500 to $999/month: 14% of households$1,000+ per month: 10% of householdsownership costs force 8 in 10 americans to alter driving habitsThe Resurgence of Carpooling Among Younger DriversTo dodge individual vehicle expenses, 29 percent of Americans now carpool at least once a week. The practice is most prominent among Gen Z drivers (ages 18 to 29), where 52 percent report regularly sharing rides to work or school. Overall, 51 percent of consumers say they view carpooling favorably and would willingly share rides if traveling to a shared destination with someone outside their household.However, shared rides aren't a silver bullet for everyone. Nearly four in ten Americans (39%) have never carpooled, citing a preference for solo driving privacy (30%), a lack of acquaintances sharing the same route (23%), and conflicting work schedules (22%).AdvertisementAdvertisementIndustry experts advise that while cutting unnecessary trips helps short-term cash flow, drivers shouldn't skip routine preventive maintenance like tire rotations and oil changes, as delayed service can lead to far costlier mechanical failures down the road.Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.