How have higher gas prices affected you?

Here's last week's question of the week:

How have higher gas prices affected you? Have you changed your driving patterns?

Here are some of the responses I received from Times readers. Feel free to add your own as a comment.

As a small business owner, it has affected me greatly. I have employees that I reimburse for gas and have noticed a significant increase in my operating costs. If this continues, I will be forced to pass these costs onto the customer.
Michael Dash, Hudson

Regardless of price fluctuations, my consumption remains very stable. I take steps to ensure the best fuel efficiency when driving, such as having proper tire inflation, keeping the engine tuned and performing all scheduled maintenance.
Michel Curi Jr., Seminole

I will definitely reconsider some longer day trips that I had wanted to make in the near future. Since everything, not just gasoline, has gone up in price in the last year or two, the rising gas prices are just about “the last straw,” making longer trips very expensive.
Margit Crowell, Spring Hill

There is not much more I can do short of buying a hybrid or similar car, but the payback period for a hybrid is still unacceptably long, even at today’s gas prices. I try to incorporate everyday errands into my daily commute and I use www.tampagasprices.com to find low prices on or near my commute route.
Chas. E. Lehnert, Riverview

The days of driving across town for a dollar coupon are over.
Marv Bachman, Clearwater

Comments

The entire gas thing is a catch 22 until we get ourselves off oil. Increasing MPG only allows more miles driven. It is all hype until we are off oil for energy. Hydrogen fuel cells and electric cars offer the most promise so far. The last of the oil fortunes are being made in the next few years.