Why will rides cost more?
Two forces are pushing rideshare prices up:
1. Drivers are declining unprofitable trips
With gas at $3.57/gallon (up 20% from $2.98 pre-war), many drivers are skipping short trips that don’t generate enough to cover fuel costs. Fewer available drivers = higher surge pricing. (CNBC)
2. Platforms will likely add surcharges
In 2022 during the last gas spike:
- Uber added $0.45-$0.55 per trip
- Lyft added $0.55 per ride
- DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart added delivery surcharges
No platform has announced surcharges yet for the current crisis, but driver advocacy groups are pushing hard for them.
How much more will rides cost?
| Pre-war | Current estimate | If gas hits $4.50 |
|---|---|---|
| $15 base ride | $16-17 (surge) | $18-20+ (surge + surcharge) |
| $8 short ride | $10-12 (fewer drivers) | $12-15 |
| $50 airport ride | $55-60 | $60-70 |
Wait times are also increasing as fewer drivers are on the road during non-peak hours.
Alternatives to save money
- Public transit — if available, now significantly cheaper per trip
- Carpooling — Uber Pool / Lyft Shared are cheaper than solo rides
- Bike/scooter share — Lime, Citi Bike, etc. for short trips
- Schedule off-peak — avoid surge pricing during rush hours
- Compare apps — check both Uber and Lyft prices before booking
- Subscription plans — Uber One ($9.99/month) gives 5% off rides