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Mind you, it was paid for by a student paddling club because they needed an instructor, but that's what I pay in fuel to drive 1620 miles in one week to go paddling in the Alps. I bet you have a lot higher income than me as well.
In this country, one sees a clear correlation between traveling distance, travelling time and place of living. When people have to stand in traffic jams, they move close r to their work. Also, when it becomes too expensive to travel there, they move closer to work or look for alternatives (either a motorbike, bicycle, public transportation or a job closer to their home). People are pretty inflexible when it comes to losing their addiction (be it smoking, drinking or driving :-) ), but there is a point when it becomes cost-prohibitive and they have to change. Look at other countries whose economies went down the drain, and you'll see how much people adapt to deal with that economic problem. Most manage to get around it quite well by adapting their lifestyle. I know that might come as a shock to many people, but I think that the average American is a lot tougher and ingenious than most people give them credit for. Sure, it means a leaner life, in more than one respect, but that cant be such a bad thing for a substantial part of the population... :-)
Seriously, it will mean adjusting, but I have little doubt that the general population will be able to pull that off. It might kill off the addiction to pick-up trucks and big SUV's, but it has an upside as well: many people will continue to afford to drive a (smaller) car, and be at less risk of being hit by such a big vehicle since there are a lot less of then around! :-)
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Last week it cost me 740 US$ to drive to Slovenia for a one week kayaking holiday. New 
BoaterTalk 
