High gas prices? Some consumers just say no

— -- Most motorists are simply bearing up against soaring gasoline prices. They may swear. They may complain. But they end up filling up as always.

Others, however, are fighting back as the nation heads into the spring driving season. Some are riding the bus or train or are carpooling. Some are giving up four wheels for two — a scooter or bicycle. Some are simply planning their trips more efficiently.

Nationally, 84% of those responding to an AAA survey released earlier this month say they've changed their routines as a result of soaring fuel prices. Better planning — combining errands into a single trip — was the most common way cited.

Some 16% say they're less affected because they bought or leased a more fuel-efficient vehicle. Some are like Fleming Law of Indian Harbour Beach, Fla., who is so proud of his Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric car, which also has a gasoline motor, that he laughs off higher gas prices.

"Haven't filled up since November. What's the price of gas?" says Law, who's racked up more than 7,500 miles on his Volt. He says he's filled up once since he's owned it.

For the rest of us, gas prices are still an issue. The average price of regular gas is now within 20 cents a gallon of the record $4.114 set in July 2008. Regular averaged $3.921 a gallon on Thursday, up four cents from a week ago and up about 33 cents, or 9%, from a year ago, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

Americans are finding diverse and novel ways to cope with those prices.

Putting scoot in commute

Mike McWilliams bought a 2007 Yamaha Vino motor scooter to putt-putt to community college in Asheville, N.C., and to his job at a doggy daycare center. He's studying to become a veterinary technician.

"On the flat, with a good tailwind, I can get it up to like 50, 55 miles per hour," he says before correcting himself. "Actually, that might be on a slight downhill."

It's not speed that McWilliams seeks. A longtime motorcyclist, he says he wanted a fun way to get around the city while saving money. He's gone about 70 miles on the scooter's one-gallon tank. But it's a fair-weather strategy. Otherwise, he takes his 1996 Saturn.

Combining trips

In Greenville, S.C., Michael Heaton is paying closer attention to the rounds he makes.

There's not much he can do, though, about the cost of fuel for the mowers and weed trimmers he uses for his Greenville Lawn Maintenance. His gasoline bill for them now is about $200 a month, he says.

But he's trying to burn less gas through better planning. "Instead of just going somewhere and getting something … I try to do two or three things when I make a trip," he says. He's also stopped dropping off his mail at the downtown post office. "I just stick it in my mailbox."

Playing their cards right

Karen Papp, 45, of Westland, Mich., gets about 30 miles per gallon in her Hyundai Accent, but with a 60-mile daily commute, she's looking to save. One way she and her husband have discovered: buying Shell gift cards at their local Kroger supermarket. "Shell will give you the cash price (at the pump) for buying with the gift card," she says, which is a few cents cheaper than the credit card price. And Papp gets bonus shopping points at the grocery by swiping her Kroger card at the pump. "I'm always looking for a way to save."

Pumping a bike, not gas