Rising Fuel Costs Strain US Small Businesses and Households

Rising fuel expenses in 2026 are creating significant financial pressure for American small business owners and households. Inflation-adjusted data shows average per-gallon gas prices increased between $0.68 and $1.19 from March to July compared to the previous year.

Nick Friedman, co-founder of College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, reports that fuel costs have doubled for some franchisees, with some facing increases approaching $100,000. To offset these expenses, businesses are raising customer prices or implementing AI for routing and scheduling. Friedman noted that there is a limit to how much of these increases can be passed to customers.

Consumers identify fuel as the second-highest financial stressor after grocery costs, with nearly one-third of households citing it as a primary source of stress. This trend has forced lower-income families to reduce spending on other essentials. Michael McAuliffe of Family Credit Management reports that families are increasingly scared and advises them to avoid new debt and reduce high-interest balances to manage their budgets.