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West coast by far paying the most, the pinch at the pump is hitting families like hector alvarez s hard. it is starting to affect the budget. reporter: in los angeles, many are dishing out $7 a gallon, alvarez who supports a family of seven is juggling skyrocketing housing prices, staggering inflation, and now record fuel costs. we have to really think about how far we can travel or where we can go. reporter: with a recent poll showing americans cutting back on eating out, making impulse purchases, and driving, the u.s. is poised to officially hit $5 a gallon as early as thursday according to aaa, 75% of commuters say that s the benchmark where they ll put the brakes on driving. that s what happened in 2008 when the national average hit $4.11, or roughly $5.40 a gallon today with inflation. the consumer is in a different position than they were in 2008. as we get around ....
Prices, staggering inflation and now record fuel costs. we have to, you know, really think about how far we can travel or where we can go. reporter: with a recent poll showing americans cutting back on eating out, making impulse purchases and driving, the u.s. is poised to officially hit $5 a gallon as early as thursday, according to aaa, 75% of commuters say that s the benchmark where they ll put the brakes on driving. that s what happened in 2008 when the national average hit 4.11 or roughly 5.40 a gallon today with inflation. the consumer is in a different position than they were in 2008. as we get around that 5.20, 5.30 national average, we might see some change in consumer behavior. reporter: but as pent-up pandemic demand pumps up prices for now, there s also been a surge for electric vehicles. take a 310 mile road trip from l.a. to the bay area. a gas guzzling sedan will set ....