My partner and I want to travel to the upper peninsula of Michigan to visit a friend this summer, but the 2,300 mile round trip cost has caused us pause; is the $300+ bill for gas (just gas), worth the three or four days we’ll spend visiting? I don’t know. We’re strapped for cash, and there are plenty of other distractions in New England this summer.
If I knew the majority of the cost of a gallon of gas was going towards taxes and spent on improved public transportation across the country, I might spend the money.
In the not too distant future, I think (and many other people think too), this planet will be forced to change its energy consumption habits; we’re going to need to live closer to work, have good public transportation, and increased living density.