NC Uber driver rejects more trips as gas tops $4 per gallon

Gas prices have surpassed the $4 mark across North Carolina due to
global oil supply disruptions tied to the war in Iran, and local
rideshare drivers struggling to make up for the increased costs are
changing how they operate.

Joel Bender, an Uber driver from
Buncombe County, said he has been turning down more trips than he
accepts to offset heightened fuel costs.

“Right now, I’m at a 10% acceptance rate, and I’m at about a 20% cancel rate,” Bender said.

AAA
reports prices across the state are averaging out around $4.17 for a
gallon of regular as of May 13, 2026. Meanwhile, the national average is
spilling above $4.50 — about $1.50 more since the war started.

>>Economist says higher gas prices likely to continue into summer travel despite U.S. oil production

Bender
said he is questioning whether or not he is getting back how much he
spends to pump gas into his tank. Bender, a nearly decade-long rideshare
driver, said he is not alone in this.

“There’s still some drivers who just say, ‘Listen, I’m going to make sure that I’m not screwed on this ride,’” Bender said.

Bender created a Facebook group with almost 700 members — a place where rideshare drivers can connect and support one another.

He
said drivers part of this group have opened up to him about how they
are dealing with these rising costs. Bender said the gas hike is
especially burdensome on people whose primary income comes from
rideshare driving.

“There are a number of drivers who do this to put food on the table and to make their monthly obligations,” Bender said.

He
said more drivers — even ones who’ve been driving for years — are
choosing to steer clear from the business altogether, no longer helping
some pay their bills.

AAA said gas prices are averaging out to be
the highest they have been since 2022 with other states, like
California, exceeding $6 for a gallon.

While Uber said it is
expanding its fuel discount program for drivers and couriers through May
26, Bender said this is still not enough to help him make up for
losses.