Costco Lines, GasBuddy and Fuel Points: Americans Hunt Cheap Gas

Americans are searching for ways to offset rising gas prices as the effect of the war in Iran hits their wallets.

At a Costco Wholesale Corp. gas station near San Antonio, wait times have stretched as much as 30 minutes and lines wrap around the block. Elsewhere, drivers are refreshing apps like GasBuddy and going out of their way for cheaper fuel and discounts as prices reach nearly $4 a gallon on average. Others say they are trimming spending on grocery, takeout and travel.

How much Americans’ spending behavior changes, and what that means for the US economy’s main engine ...