In Texas, rising gas prices force drivers to choose between work, groceries, and other basics

For many drivers, higher gas prices are not an abstract economic talking point. In South Texas, Quinten Martinez, a 28-year-old Amazon delivery driver, said the rising cost of fuel can mean choosing between getting to work and paying for basic necessities as frustration over prices at the pump surfaces across party lines ahead of the midterms.

“Is it going to be groceries this week? Is it gonna be getting gas in our tank to go to work?” Martinez said, according to the Associated Press.

Here’s what to know

President Donald Trump has described higher gas prices during the war with Iran as “a very inexpensive price to pay,” but Martinez said the increased cost of fuel is making everyday life harder. His frustration reflects wider anger over prices at the pump across party lines as voters weigh the economy ahead of the midterms.

Veteran Republican strategist Chris Wilson said, “Gas prices matter because they’re one of the few economic indicators voters experience and see in real time. The price is literally staring them in the face several times a week. So I wouldn’t minimize the frustration we’re seeing, particularly among working- and middle-class voters.”

AAA put the national average at $4.48 a gallon.

If there is a silver lining for households, it is that cutting dependence on expensive fossil-fuel energy can lower monthly bills over time. One of the best ways to save money on home energy is going solar, and homeowners can use EnergySage to get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes.

A Fox News survey said 61% of voters consider gas prices a major problem for their household. Interviews with voters in Texas, Arizona, Michigan, Virginia, and North Carolina suggested many see fuel costs as part of a broader affordability squeeze that also includes groceries, housing, and health care.

More background

Few expenses are as visible for drivers as gasoline. Unlike rent or insurance, it is a cost many people face almost every time they stop at a station.

Martinez rejected the idea that higher prices are worth it, and some voters linked gas costs to a wider sense that the economy is becoming harder to manage.

“I don’t feel like it’s a good trade-off,” he said. “I don’t feel like this is good for anyone.”

For working people who commute long distances or run businesses that depend on gas-powered vehicles, even modest increases can add up quickly. That is especially true in rural and suburban areas, where driving is often unavoidable.

What can be done?

Reducing exposure to unpredictable fuel and energy costs can mean driving less, choosing more efficient vehicles, or lowering home energy bills. For homeowners, rooftop solar can be one of the strongest ways to stabilize monthly expenses.