Skyrocketing gasoline prices are delivering a significant financial blow to numerous workers across the Bay Area whose livelihoods depend on driving. As the ongoing global conflict continues to destabilize oil supplies, many individuals are struggling to manage their daily expenses.

The Burden on Gig Economy and Service Workers

For many Americans, operating a car, van, or truck is integral to their workday. Nearly 27% of civilian workers reported driving as a necessary physical demand of their jobs last year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This includes ride-share providers, delivery personnel, self-employed tradespeople, nannies, and real estate agents. Leslie Sherman-Shafer, an Uber driver in Alameda, California, noted that her usual $25 fill-up for her Toyota Corolla now costs closer to $40. This increase stems from the conflict pushing the average U.S. regular gasoline price up by $1.

Struggling to Cover Costs Without Reimbursement

Ms. Sherman-Shafer, a retired dental office assistant, is putting in extra hours to offset the increased fuel expense. She stated, "We don’t get reimbursed for gas. We rely on the generosity of the tip." While some passengers offer larger tips to compensate, she noted that most do not.

The national average price for regular gasoline hit $3.99 per gallon on Monday, marking a 34% increase from the previous month, AAA reported. Platforms like DoorDash, Uber, Lyft, and Instacart, which rely on gig workers, generally do not reimburse gas costs but are offering temporary incentives.

DoorDash and Instacart are providing weekly fuel payments for drivers exceeding 125 miles, and some platforms offer enhanced cash back via company-branded debit cards. However, delivery driver Sarah Noell in Lynchburg, Virginia, finds these measures only partially helpful, noting that filling her tank now costs nearly double what it did previously.

Businesses Adjusting Reimbursements and Operations

Some employers do provide compensation for vehicle use. The Internal Revenue Service sets an annual standard mileage rate for tax deduction purposes. For instance, Alpine Maids in Denver pays its cleaners 72.5 cents per mile, the 2026 federal reimbursement rate.

Chris Willatt, who runs Alpine Maids, explained that this rate means his maids' paychecks effectively shrank due to higher gas prices. To mitigate this, Willatt reduced mandatory office reporting from daily to weekly and reorganized assignments to minimize travel distance between clients. He may raise customer prices if fuel costs continue to climb.

Local Solutions in the Bay Area

Molly Kenefick, owner of Doggy Lama Pet Care Inc. in Oakland, recently increased the gas reimbursement rate for her 15 employees to 80 cents per mile. This increase will remain until local gas prices stay below $5 for a minimum of one month. Kenefick plans to raise service prices in May but worries about losing clientele.

Kenefick is currently using her personal savings to cover some of the strain, stating, "The economy is hard for people. Everybody’s under strain." She hopes the situation does not persist too long.

Global Impact on Diesel Users

Owners of diesel vehicles are experiencing even more dramatic price surges since the conflict began on February 28. In France, protesting truck and bus drivers slowed traffic on Paris’ ring road on Monday, March 30, 2026, to denounce rising diesel costs and seek government aid.

Sarah Bahezre, manager of Ulysse Cars, noted the difficulty in balancing business costs after selling services based on previously cheaper diesel rates. In Phoenix, Rachel Hunter of Cactus Crew Junk Removal & Thrift Store saw the cost to fuel their single diesel truck jump from $3.62 to $6.09 per gallon. Hunter is now quoting higher prices, fearing a "vicious circle" if costs remain elevated, even though she is concerned about appearing overpriced.