Most Americans cannot do without their automobiles. According to a recent online poll of roughly 1500 Americans, more than 28 per cent of respondents spend between 30 minutes to 1 hour in their vehicles on a typical weekday. More than 44 per cent report spending over an hour driving each weekday, while just 27 per cent of respondents spend less than 30 minutes on the road.

Men are more likely to be in their automobiles at any given time than women. Shorter commutes of under one hour are enjoyed by more women than men (59 per cent compared with 51 per cent), and this is reflected in the respective amounts the two genders spend at the pump. Around a quarter of men report spending more than $50 per week on gas, but such a large amount is spent by only 17.5 per cent of female respondents.

A majority of the respondents surveyed (58 per cent) say they spend less than $40 a week on gasoline. Perhaps unsurprisingly, just less than one-tenth of all respondents (9 per cent) report spending less than $10 on gas per week, while a similar proportion (10.5 per cent) say they spend more than $60 a week.

Although gas prices started to drop during the second half of 2011, they have been on a steady incline since January 2012. The cost of filling up an automobile has risen across the country to levels higher than the same time last year. There are significant variations in gasoline prices: the most pricy place is currently the Los Angeles area where pumps charge an average of $3.91/gallon for regular gasoline. Those wanting a good deal should head to the Rocky Mountains region where it retails at just over $3.00/gallon in most areas.

With the average American spending up to an hour in his vehicle every day and at least $40/week in gas, it’s no surprise that an overwhelming majority of respondents (81 per cent) express concern about the prospect that a rise in crude oil prices might result in higher prices at the gas station. The cost of crude oil makes up for about 80 per cent of the consumer gas price. Other factors affecting the price include the refining process, taxes and marketing.

Despite rising gas prices and the increasing concern of many Americans, the United States continues to consume more petroleum than any other country. It's responsible for consuming over 20 per cent of all petroleum in the world, despite it only having 5per cent of the global population. Each day, America uses approximately 19 million barrels of the stuff. It produces only around half of this amount, with most of the rest coming from Russia and Saudi Arabia, which produce over 20 million barrels per day (compared with roughly 9 million in the US).

Today, the United States' entire infrastructure is heavily dependent upon oil. Oil has revolutionized the face of America, affecting practically every aspect of life. Thanks to this energy-dense fuel, people now live in deserts and inhabit vast skyscrapers; they enjoy simple luxuries like out-of-season groceries; they live in leafy suburbs and commute into cities; and visiting other states and countries has become commonplace.

Reward surveys show that, although oil prices have changed over the years, expectations have not. Only time will tell when gas prices will rise to a point that will significantly alter America's standard of living. For the time being, rising prices at the pumps will simply lead to a lot of grumbling.

Sean Burke writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.