In addition, 66% of consumers say that high gas prices have caused them to alter vacation plans, with 34% canceling their vacation plans altogether. Another 37% have opted to take shorter trips that are closer to home.
“There’s no question that rising gas prices are having a significant impact on the lives of consumers across the country,” said Christian Dwyer, senior vice president and general manager, MapQuest. “Our survey shows the extent of the hardships consumers are experiencing as well as the concessions they’re making to off-set these costs.”
Other top-line survey findings include:
* More than 80% of respondents are forfeiting day-to-day activities and changing their spending habits by dining out less (62%), giving up heating and air conditioning (19%) and resorting to only paying the minimum balance on credit cards (18%). Additionally, nearly one out of ten consumers are stopping or cutting back on medications.
* More than half of consumers are unwilling to take road trips over 100 miles.
* Twenty-four percent of consumers are turning to the Internet to search for cheap gas prices, and more than half intend to utilize websites to determine the cost difference between driving and flying when planning their next trip. Additionally, when evaluating modes of transportation for a trip 58% of consumers are the most concerned with cost of gas vs. airplane ticket fare.
* Seventy-eight percent of those surveyed feel that the Federal government should step in and set limits on prices and 27% of consumers believe the oil companies are to blame for the continually rising gas prices.
For complete survey results, please visit www.mapquest.com/gaspricesurvey.
Survey Methodology
MapQuest collaborated with DMS Research, a leading online marketing research agency, to conduct a survey providing insights into current attitudes and lifestyle changes resulting from the recent rise in gasoline prices. DMS gathered data from a national sample of 1,001 Internet users (age 18+). Interviews were collected from June 5 - 11, 2008.
About MapQuest, Inc.
MapQuest offers Internet, wireless and business solutions that help people find places. MapQuest.com is one of the most recognized and trusted brands on the Internet, and offers the leading consumer Web site for maps and directions, serving more than 48 million* users in May 2008, according to comScore Media Metrix. MapQuest, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL LLC, is based in Denver, Colorado.
About AOL
AOL is a global Web services company that operates some of the most popular Web destinations, offers a comprehensive suite of free software and services, runs one of the largest Internet access businesses in the U.S., and provides a full set of advertising solutions. A majority-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., AOL LLC and its subsidiaries have operations in the U.S., Europe, Canada and Asia. Learn more at AOL.com.
*According to comScore Media Metrix, May 2008
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Chris Savarese, 212-206-4589
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