How Rising Gas Costs Are Affecting Rideshare Drivers

Alvaro Bolainez, a rideshare driver who’s been picking up passengers for more than a decade in Los Angeles, told CNBC that he feels like prices at the pump have skyrocketed “overnight.”

There’s some truth to that. Gas prices have been rising since the US and Israel began launching strikes against Iran in March 2026. According to AAA, the national average gas price is now $4.12 per gallon (as of April 2026). 1

Bolainez is one of many rideshare drivers who are feeling the effects of the US and Israel’s war against Iran. One user on the r/uberdrivers subreddit stated that, despite his attempt to adapt to the increased gas prices, it “feels like the math isn’t working the way it used to.” Another Uber driver shared the same sentiment, stating that “half of what I make goes right back into my tank” as a result of the ongoing conflict.

Delivery drivers aren’t faring much better. One driver on the r/UberEatsDrivers subreddit recently said they’re now using “about an extra $7 in fuel a day.”

Regarding how this affects their earnings and profit margins, they noted that “when it’s a $200-day, it’s not too bad,” but that “when it’s a $120-day, it hurts.”

Unfortunately, for many drivers like Bolainez, waiting for the prices to get better isn’t an option. He told CNBC that “if we don’t drive, we won’t be able to afford to pay rent or pay bills.”

Spiking insurance rates

Gas isn’t the only vehicle cost that’s rising. As a result of the Trump administration’s tariffs on imported cars and auto parts, insurance rates have spiked. The LA Times reported that the top 10 insurers in California won approval last year to raise premiums by an average of 6%.

New challenges for struggling rideshare drivers

For many drivers, this increase in gas prices and insurance premiums comes on top of a slew of other challenges that have been making ridesharing and delivery driving more difficult.

On Reddit, drivers for platforms like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash claim that oversaturation, decreased consumer spending as a result of the economic challenges in the US, and fears that robotaxis will displace human drivers are making it tricky to make a living working for the most popular driving gig apps.

With gas prices at their highest national average since 2022, many drivers are having to become more selective with the rides they accept. One delivery driver on r/UberEatsDrivers claimed that they now “need at least $1.25/mile” instead of their previous minimum of $1.

Plenty of other rideshare and delivery drivers share this sentiment. Another Uber driver on Reddit claimed they’re no longer “taking anything under $15.” Similarly, a Lyft driver on the r/lyftdrivers subreddit stated that they’re “cherry picking harder.”

Along with doing mental calculations to figure out which trips are worth their time, drivers are also finding other ways to cope. Adrian Mussio, who works as a courier on platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats, told CNBC that she’s becoming increasingly reliant on GasBuddy, an app that helps users find the cheapest gas prices.

GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, Patrick De Haan, told CNBC that the platform’s daily active users are spending over 30% additional time on the app.

Electric vehicles: a solution to rising gas prices?

While many drivers are becoming pickier with the rides they accept, others have suggested forgoing regular cars altogether and driving an electric vehicle (EV) or hybrid instead. According to Bloomberg, search traffic for EVs increased by 20% following the attacks on Iran.

This interest is evident among rideshare drivers. One disillusioned Uber driver on Reddit said that if they were to go back to driving, they’d “need to buy an EV or hybrid.” Another driver claimed that “expenses aren’t as big a factor” in their profits, since they drive an EV.

You may not necessarily need to buy an EV outright if you’re looking to save cash amidst rising gas prices. Uber lets you rent an EV through its partnership with Hertz, and you can participate in the company’s “Zero Emissions” incentive if you’re a Platinum or Diamond driver based in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, or New York City. If you switch to an EV (either by buying one or renting through Uber) and complete 100 rides before April 30, 2026, you’ll receive $4,000.

Of course, this is only viable for drivers able to afford Uber’s rental fees. Uber states that rentals start at $240 per week plus taxes, fees, and other expenses, and you’ll also need to pay a $200 security deposit. 4 Renting an EV may set you back even more.

Although drivers are the ones attempting to adapt to the rising gas prices, many argue that the major rideshare companies should do more to support their workers.

Bolainez also serves as vice president of Rideshare Drivers United, a group that advocates for the rights of rideshare drivers. They believe that rideshare companies should implement an additional gas surcharge. Uber and Lyft offered similar surcharges in March 2022, when gas prices soared as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

As of writing, some ridesharing and delivery apps have introduced fuel relief programs to help drivers cope with the rising gas prices.

Uber and Uber Eats

In March 2026, Uber announced that they’re expanding fuel discounts to help struggling drivers. However, drivers won’t automatically be eligible for them.

For instance, drivers who purchase gas using the cash back app Upside will get up to $1.00 off per gallon of gas. Those who purchase gas via the Shell Fuel Rewards program can also get up to 21¢ off per gallon of gas.

Just how much drivers can save through these fuel discounts also depends on their Uber Pro or Uber Eats Pro tier. Uber also says that drivers who use an Uber Pro Card can get an additional 5% cash back on top of their existing rates when they purchase gas.

Lyft

Lyft also introduced a 60-day fuel relief program in March 2026. Much like Uber, drivers need to meet certain criteria to be eligible. Elite, Gold, and Platinum-tier drivers can get an additional 2% or 1% cash back, respectively, when they use a Lyft Direct business debit card to pay at the pump in participating gas stations.

Lyft also offers drivers an additional 14 cents per gallon when they pay via Upside (excluding drivers in New Jersey or Wisconsin).

Note that Lyft’s fuel relief program isn’t available to drivers based in New York City, California, Washington, or Minnesota.

DoorDash

DoorDash has introduced an emergency gas relief program in response to rising fuel costs. Drivers (or “Dashers,” as the app calls them), can get 10% cash back when they buy gas at the pump using a DoorDash Crimson Visa Debit Card.

Dashers who drive “125 miles or more while actively on deliveries” are also eligible for a weekly relief payment. DoorDash offers the following weekly relief payouts depending on how many miles you drive:

• 125 miles: $5
• 200 miles: $10
• 250 miles: $15

DoorDash states that Dashers can earn only one weekly gas relief payment per week, based on the highest tier they reach during that qualification period.

Although many drivers are happy to accept a little help during these challenging times, others believe that surcharges or gas relief programs won’t solve the fundamental issues of driving for Uber or Lyft.

One Uber and Lyft driver based in North Carolina told Business Insider that “it isn’t really solving the problem.” While he acknowledged that a fuel surcharge would help, he went on to state that “it’s treating a symptom more than … treating a cause.”

Margarita Penalosa, who drives full-time for Uber and Lyft and sometimes delivers for DoorDash, also told The New York Times that the apps are “not giving us anything extra.” She’s reluctant to open a debit card to get a discount on gas.

With no clear end to the war in sight, drivers are forced to contend with higher gas prices for the time being. While Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash have rolled out fuel relief programs, many drivers feel that they aren’t enough to help them stay afloat.