Gas Prices Inspiring American Wanderlust

AAA survey shows that 18- to 34-year-olds likely to drive more thanks to lower gas prices.

​WASHINGTON May 1, 2015; NACSonline reported that earlier this week, AAA released the results of a recent consumer gauging American attitudes toward gas prices, particularly as it relates to their driving habits. Among the findings in the AAA survey, 6 in 10 Americans say they are more likely to take a road trip of 50 miles or more away from home in 2015 if gas prices remain near recent levels. Younger Americans are more likely than older Americans to take a road trip.

According to the survey, conducted via phone in mid-April, 68% of Americans age 18-34 say they are more likely to take a road trip if gas prices remain near recent levels, compared with 57% of those age 35-plus.

At the same time, only 13% of Americans report driving more due to recent gas prices, indicating that most drivers are unlikely to change their regular habits due to the lower prices. Again, younger Americans seem to be more price-sensitive when it comes to changing their behavior, with 19% of 18- to 34-year-olds saying they are driving more due to recent low gas prices