Drivers struggle with rising gas prices: San Mateo County averaging around $6 per gallon

Steve Lewis, a Hayward resident who commutes to San Mateo for work, said that rising prices have forced him to be more mindful of both his driving habits and his budget.

“Definitely, when I get to the pump it hurts a little bit more, I have to plan my budget out a lot tighter these days,” Lewis said.

For Rodrigo Lima, a Foster City resident and Lyft driver, fuel prices have affected both personal and work life.

“I drive many hours a day and I spent a lot of cash and for me it has been really hard,” Lima said. “It impacts me in everything.”

Lima said when driving for Lyft, he often decides which rides to accept based on the distance because longer trips are not always worth the fare a passenger will pay.

Beyond adults, students have also felt the strain of rising gas prices. Whether they are driving to class, work or out with friends, the increase has made these activities more difficult.

Aragon High School senior Alexander Serrano said, as a student who drives to school regularly and works to pay for his own fuel, it’s difficult to balance paying for gas and spending time with friends.

“Usually, I don’t rely on my parents — I pay for the whole tank,” Serrano said. “I want to use my money to do different things, like hang out with my friends, but it’s been really tough lately because gas prices have been going up,” Serrano said.

Serrano said that he often pays attention to where and how he drives to save the most amount of money.

“I have to watch my miles per gallon because I just want to make a full tank last,” Serrano said. “With this happening every week, this is terrible.” 

Ariana Gavidia, a College of San Mateo student who commutes to school and work, said she has to limit how much she drives and spends because filling her gas tank costs about $120.

“It’s impacted how much I can really save because I’m constantly spending money commuting to school and work,” Gavidia said.