Pew Research Center

Are You Worried About Gas Prices?

Americans are watching the Iran‑Israel conflict closely, fearing it will keep gasoline prices elevated. A Pew Research Center poll conducted March 23‑29 found that roughly seven‑in‑ten adults were very or extremely worried about higher fuel costs, a level of concern that eclipsed anxieties about a ground‑troop deployment, U.S. casualties, or domestic terrorist attacks. The poll revealed bipartisan unease: both Republicans and Democrats reported similar levels of alarm over gasoline prices. The concern is amplified by the fact that about 90 % of U.S. adults drive at least occasionally, and the Census Bureau estimates 91 % of households have a personal vehicle, meaning price spikes affect the vast majority of consumers. Pew’s findings also note the timing of the survey—completed before the April 8 cease‑fire announcement—so sentiment may have shifted as hostilities ease. Nonetheless, the data underscore how geopolitical events translate directly into household budgeting pressures. For policymakers and businesses, the widespread anxiety signals potential demand‑side strain, prompting calls for strategic fuel‑price mitigation, inflation‑watching, and communication strategies as the conflict evolves.