Gas Prices Are Up 40%—And Americans Are Walking More Because of It

By: KURU Footwear

The most practical transportation trend right now might not involve a new car, a transit pass, or an app. It might be walking. As fuel prices continue to squeeze household budgets, more Americans are rethinking which trips really need a car and which ones could start with a pair of supportive shoes.

To see how this shift is playing out, we surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults about transportation changes, walking habits, and daily steps. Here’s what we found.

Driving Less

For many Americans, driving less is no longer just a nice idea. It’s becoming the new math. As fuel prices rise, people are looking at everyday trips a little differently, especially the ones that could be swapped for a walk. 

Our survey found:

  • 72% say they are driving less often than they were a year ago.
  • 76% say they have cut back on non-essential car trips in the past six months.
  • 49% say they have walked to destinations they would have previously driven to.
  • 59% have skipped a trip or outing entirely due to the cost of gas.

Walking More

The sidewalk is getting busier. Short trips that once felt like automatic drives are becoming easy opportunities to walk more, move more, and leave the car parked.

  • Of those who are walking more, walking is the #1 behavioral response to rising gas prices, with 51% selecting it, ahead of working from home (23%), public transit (22%), carpooling (22%), and cycling (14%).
  • Median daily step counts rose from 7,039 in May 2025 to 7,500 in May 2026, an increase of 461 steps per day or 6.5%.
  • Nearly half (48%) of respondents with step-tracking data are walking more in 2026 than they were in 2025.
  • Among the 492 people who confirmed they are walking more:
  • 60% are adding 1,000+ extra steps per day.
  • 34% are adding 2,500+ extra steps per day.
  • 16% are adding 5,000+ extra steps per day, nearly an extra 2.5 miles daily.

Where Americans Are Walking

Not every walk needs a trail, a timer, or a fitness goal. Some walks are just part of getting things done, which may be exactly why they are becoming easier to fit into daily life.

Here’s where people are walking instead of driving:

  • Grocery store: 65%
  • Local errands: 53%
  • Coffee shop or restaurant: 48%
  • Friend or family member’s home: 48%
  • Gym: 24%
  • Work: 23%
  • School: 14%

The Savings in Every Step

There is something pretty powerful about a trip that costs nothing but a few extra steps. For those walking instead of driving, the benefits are not just physical. They can show up in the monthly budget, too.

Here’s how it adds up:

  • 87% of walkers estimate they are saving money by walking instead of driving.
  • 72% are saving at least $20 per month, or up to $240 per year.
  • 36% are saving $50+ per month, or up to $600 per year.
  • 12% are saving more than $100 per month, or up to $1,200 per year.

How the Steps Stack Up

When walking becomes part of getting around, daily movement starts to build in the background. For Americans who are walking to places they previously would have driven to, those extra steps are adding up.

  • 60% are adding at least 1,000 extra steps per day.
  • 34% are adding 2,500 or more extra steps per day.
  • 16% are adding 5,000+ extra steps per day, the equivalent of nearly 2.5 additional miles walked daily.
  • Only 6% report adding fewer than 500 extra steps per day.

Final Thoughts

As Americans rethink everyday trips, walking is stepping into a bigger role. It’s practical, budget-friendly, and easier to build into the day than many people realize. And with comfy, supportive shoes, those extra steps can feel less like a sacrifice and more like a smart new rhythm.

Methodology

To explore how rising gas prices are changing the way Americans get around, KURU Footwear surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older.

The survey was conducted in May 2026 and focused on how Americans’ transportation habits, walking routines, and daily step counts have changed over the past six months.

Gas price data referenced in this report comes from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, which reported a 40% increase in motor fuel prices between May 2025 and May 2026.

Step count data was self-reported by the 492 respondents who said they use a step-tracking device or app and had access to their historical data. These respondents reported their average daily step count for May 2025 and May 2026. Because this data represents a subset of the full survey sample, it should be interpreted accordingly.

About Us

At KURU, we’re on a mission to help you Heel Better™ with footwear technology designed to relieve foot pain, so you can live a life you love. Since launching our innovative technology in 2008, we’ve sold over 3 million pairs and received more than 48,000 five-star reviews from thousands of customers who tell us their KURU shoes helped them with foot pain conditions (such as plantar fasciitis) and got them back to doing what they love.

For all media inquiries, please contact us at pr@kurufootwear.com.

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