Gas prices have been on a rollercoaster since the war with Iran began.

And as global oil supplies have been disrupted, drivers are feeling the impact every time they fill up.

Data shows that families across the country have already spent an extra $8.4 billion on gas since the war started.

That increased spending has forced many to make tough decisions about what to cut back on.

"Carolina Impact's" Dara Khaalid and videographer John Branscum show us there are ways to save at the pumps.

- Today, the US and Israel launched an unprecedented joint attack on Iran.

- [Dara] February 28th, 2026.

- [News Anchor] Dozens of strikes on dozens of targets around the country.

You can see the map there.

The largest operation in Israeli history using Israeli jets, as well as American tomahawks and jets.

- [Dara] You likely remember that day, and all the breaking news surrounding it.

(explosion booming) Months later, the back and forth continues, which leaves Americans paying higher gas prices as the conflict disrupts the global oil market.

- Gasoline is the thing that hits consumers the clearest, and it's also a price that's posted clearly so people can see it every day.

And the the reason that high energy prices impact us here in in America is that gasoline is a globally traded commodity.

And when you have a a shortage globally or a shock globally, price effects are gonna show up everywhere.

- [Dara] Especially in our wallets.

- It's costing me 20 more dollars to fill up this car.

I can't afford to keep filling it up, you know what I mean?

So today I did $50.

You know?

I usually do 20.

- Well, I know the price of gas is hurting a lot of people.

- [Dara] Mark Vitner, chief economist at Piedmont Crescent Capital, says the biggest impact is on daily commuters who live outside the city.

- They really don't have an option.

There's no mass transit they can take.

It's harder for them in a carpool because there's just not as much density, and so that's where the burden really falls heaviest.

- [Dara] Katia Faroun deals with this every day.

Her commute to work from NoDa to Matthews is about 30 miles a day, and the increased cost adds up fast.

- Gas prices have been going up a lot recently.

I commute about a half an hour to work every day.

I pay attention to it just because of all that commuting.

- [Dara] As gas prices climb, many have had to their budgets, deciding what to cut back on to make ends meet.

- It's definitely something that I've been paying attention a little bit more to in my budgeting just because it's, you know, a necessary payment, a necessary price that, you know, you need to consider it with like, utilities and other sort of everyday bills to pay.

- [Dara] As summer approaches, increased costs at the pump can have a negative impact on vacation plans.

- It definitely does make you think about, okay, should we take that long trip this summer?

Should we do something closer to home?

- We're all feeling it.

Paying more at the pumps these days.

Well experts say that there are ways that you can save a few bucks here and there.

Like rewards programs offered through gas stations.

- I've talked to some people that have strategies where they pull two cars up at the same time, so they can maximize and make sure they get the 30 gallon limit that they can get.

- [Dara] Programs like Shell Fuel Rewards save members between 3 to 10 cents per gallon based on their status.

And Circle K's Inner Circle has a signup offer that lets you save 25 cents per gallon the first five times you fill up.

People we spoke to have others they like to use.

- QuikTrip is always my go-to station.

- We're pretty big Costco people, so we just kind of know that Costco's always kind of reliably low.

- [Dara] Here's something else to think about.

- If you have a car that runs on premium, and you have one that runs on regular, well, maybe you want to drive the one that runs on regular a little bit more, unless the premium one gets really good gas mileage.

- [Dara] You can also be mindful of how many trips you take, and cut out unnecessary ones.

Plus, don't forget, you don't always have to be behind the wheel to get a route.

- [Mark] If you got an opportunity to walk or take mass transit, the weather's perfect for walking right now.

So take advantage of that.

- With so much uncertainty ahead, the best thing people can do is stay aware, plan ahead, and look for small ways to ease the strain on their budget.

For "Carolina Impact," I'm Dara Khaalid.