How much does gas have to rise before people realize how huge an expenditure it is?

According to the report, gas prices are not the only driving-related cost on the upswing. The costs of tires, financing, license, registration and taxes also showed increases over last year. The average cost to own and operate a vehicle is 54.1 cents per mile, or $8,121 per year, an increase of nearly 2 cents per mile and $300 from last year, according to AAA and based on an average gas price per gallon of $2.941, which is even higher now.

Motorists can save as much as $3,000 per year by switching from a large model to a smaller vehicle, the auto club said. For example, driving a sport utility 15,000 miles a year averages $10,448, compared with $8,644 for a minivan.