Uber Lyft drivers gas prices impact is forcing gig workers to change how they work, exposing deeper issues in wages, pricing control, and economic vulnerability in the gig economy.
Several ride-hailing drivers told the Business Insider they’re prioritizing the most profitable trips offered by the Uber and Lyft apps to protect their earnings from rising gas prices, while dozens bemoaned the “insane” price spike on Reddit.
Oil prices blew past the $100-a-barrel mark on Monday, before falling back to around $90 after President Donald Trump suggested the war with Iran could soon come to a close.
The impact is already being felt at the pumps. The average price of a gallon of gasoline in the US has jumped by about $0.40 over the past week, according to AAA data.
Justin Fisher, who works as a ride-hailing driver for Uber in Houston, told Business Insider that he has changed which rides he accepts on the app in response to gas prices. He now focuses on taking the most profitable rides, even if they involve going to areas that he doesn’t believe are safe.
“The cost of gas is an unpleasant reality,” Fisher said.
Sergio Avedian, a former Wall Street trader who now drives for Uber and Lyft in Southern California, told Business Insider that the price of a gallon of gas at his two local gas stations in suburban Los Angeles had increased by $1 over the past week.
“It’s been extremely noticeable,” Avedian said.
Avedian said he expected Uber and Lyft drivers to adapt by accepting fewer short city trips, which often consume more gas due to frequent stopping and starting in traffic, and instead target longer trips and freeway rides that offer superior gas mileage.
The primary issue for drivers, he said, is that Uber and Lyft control fare prices, meaning drivers can’t raise their prices when their operating costs rise.
“We do not call the shots. The fares are not going up, and Uber and Lyft are not paying us more to make up this difference, which is immense,” Avedian said.
Uber and Lyft did not respond to questions about whether they are considering introducing a surcharge, as they did in 2022 after oil prices spiked following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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