Back in 1973, I filled up my dad's car tank for 29 cents a gallon. It was an old 8 cylinder Ford station wagon and nobody cared about the MPG, or miles per gallon. (I remember when they had "gas wars" and it was 17 cents a gallon but I was not driving then!)
In 1980, I paid about $1 a gallon when I filled up my 4 cylinder car.
Today, we drive a very efficient 4-cylinder that weighs a lot less than my dad's old station wagon.
Like many others, I changed my habits and looked for a more efficient way to get around.