Rising gas prices eating into profits of Mainers who drive their cars for a living

Rising Gas Prices Force Local Businesses and Gig Workers to Adjust

By Maine News Now Staff

When Blake Burgau launched Maine Buddies just five months ago, he imagined a simple equation: a daily walk for a dog would pay the bills. The reality has become far more complicated, as the cost of filling up a tank has reshaped the economics of his small enterprise.

Burgau, 33, co‑founder of the dog‑walking service alongside his partner Mariel Brooke, now finds himself raising rates to keep his business afloat. What began as a $45 charge per dog has been bumped to $50—a $5 increase that reflects the pressure of higher fuel costs. “In the last seven weeks, I’ve paid roughly $4.64 a gallon, and when you have to put in a minimum of $120 a week, that unfortunately makes you kind of look back for a second and say, ‘OK, well, it doesn’t appear that this is going to change,’” he said.

The decision was not made lightly. Maine Buddies picks up canines at their homes for hour‑long, off‑leash hikes, usually serving four to six dogs at a time. In addition to group walks, the company offers solo hikes, overnight pet sitting, and transportation to veterinary appointments across the Greater Portland area. For Burgau, the added expense of driving between homes and trailheads now eats into profit margins that were already thin at the outset.

He is far from alone. Across Maine, workers whose jobs require frequent travel are recalculating how much they can afford to spend on gasoline. A recent surge in fuel prices has pushed the average cost of a gallon of regular gas in the state from $4.11 to $4.43 in just one month, according to AAA data. The increase, linked to broader global tensions including the ongoing conflict in Iran, has made every mile more expensive.

Ride‑share drivers juggle routes and refueling stops

Gary Jones, who drives for Uber and Lyft three nights a week around Portland to supplement his full‑time job, has had to become a map‑maker. He now prioritizes trips that keep him within the city limits, favoring destinations in South Portland or Westbrook. “I really have to be careful to not take rides from Old Orchard to Portland … Standish, Gorham, stuff like that,” he explained. “I won’t even bother because I’ve gotta drive back, and I’ll lose money.”

Jones keeps about 60 % of the customer price for each trip, plus any tips he receives. In September alone, he estimated spending roughly $190 on gas while earning close to $1,000 from driving. “It’s still worth it. It just stings a little bit more at the pump,” he said.

Attempts by Uber to ease the burden—such as the 35‑ to 55‑cent fuel surcharges introduced in 2022—have been only partially helpful. Jones noted that the surcharges require purchases at participating stations, which can sometimes be more expensive than nearby alternatives. To stretch his dollars, he often heads to Walmart, where he can shave 10 cents off each gallon.

Delivery drivers feel the pinch

DoorDash driver Katrina Buchholz, who picks up customers’ orders at a McDonald’s location in Auburn, says the rising pump prices have left her questioning the sustainability of her side hustle. “These gas prices are awful. Sometimes I feel like I put half my profits back in my gas tank, so I’m not sure it’s even worth it,” she said, placing a bag on her car floor.

Even those with more fuel‑efficient vehicles are feeling the strain. Mike Mellen drives a Honda CR‑V hybrid for 2DineIn, a Portland‑based food‑delivery service that pays drivers an hourly wage of $15.10 plus mileage reimbursement. He fills his tank two to three times a week, spending $50 to $55 per fill‑up. “The more you work, the more you drive, the more gas you need, the more expensive it is,” he noted. “So, it’s kind of an unfortunate tradeoff, just something you have to deal with, and there’s not really a way around it.”

Mellen sympathizes with colleagues who drive older, less efficient trucks, often needing to refuel three or four times weekly.

Restaurants revisit reimbursement policies

The impact of higher fuel costs is also prompting changes in how restaurants compensate their delivery drivers. At Leonardo’s Pizza in Portland, drivers receive $1.45 per delivery within a three‑mile radius as mileage reimbursement. Andrew Way, the restaurant’s vice president of operations, said the company shifted from a twice‑yearly review of reimbursement rates to a quarterly assessment after gas prices became increasingly volatile. “The drivers are definitely frustrated because (the price of gas) has gone up,” Way observed.

Portland House of Pizza on Washington Avenue adjusted its delivery fee distribution in the spring, increasing the portion that goes to drivers from $1.99 to $3 out of a $4.99 fee. General Manager David Walton framed the change with a blunt observation: “Gas kind of runs America. The Dunkin’ Donuts commercial’s kind of a lie. America actually runs on gasoline.”

A small business’s uphill battle

For Burgau, the decision to raise prices was aCalculated risk. He feared it might deter clients, yet so far the response has been neutral. The Greenbelt trails where he and his dogs often pause for a quick game in Cape Elizabeth serve as a reminder of why he started the service—to provide exercise and companionship for pets while owners enjoy the outdoors. “I love what we do,” he said. “It’s just the math that’s gotten harder lately.”

As fuel costs continue to climb, the ripple effect touches a wide swath of Maine’s economy—from boutique pet services to the gig‑driven delivery sector. Workers are finding new ways to conserve fuel, adjust routes, and, in some cases, renegotiate how much of their earnings go back to the pump. For now, the message is clear: high gas prices are reshaping how many Mainers earn a living, and the adjustments are happening one mile at a time.