Soaring fuel prices are putting pressure on China’s frugal truck drivers.

Truckers in China are anxiously watching diesel prices continue to rise. Since the war in Iran began, fuel prices have surged about 26%, reaching about $4.60 per gallon. So drivers, especially China’s 38 million long-haul truck drivers, are scrambling to fill up their tanks. Many of them are on a tight budget and living frugally on the go. Now the pain at the pump has made some drivers rethink their lives. Zhuang Wenxi has been driving this truck for over five years, delivering everything from fresh vegetables to heavy industrial machinery. The life of a long-distance truck driver can be difficult. Zhuang said he spends about 18 hours a day driving. Before becoming a truck driver, I was a street vendor selling fruits and vegetables. Zhuang said the career change was initially a good move. But as the industry shifts to truck-hailing apps, where shippers set their rates and delivery times, it’s become more difficult to get a big paid delivery service. Zhuang said he recently received about $1,700 for a shipment that took a week. However, as an independent contractor, he pays his own costs, including fuel, maintenance, and insurance. So he cuts out other expenses he incurs on the road to send home as much money as possible. So Zhuang converted the back seat into a sleeping area with a blanket. This saved him about $14 per night on a hotel room. He also converted the cabin into a kitchen so he could prepare his own meals. He has a custom-made water tank to wash himself, his dishes and his clothes. Highway tolls are one of the biggest expenses for truck drivers. Zhuang said he spends anywhere from $500 to more than $1,400 a month in tolls, depending on the route. So he often takes small back roads. Now, with fuel prices soaring, it costs Zhuang more than $580 to fill his tank, quickly reducing his take-home pay. He said some of his friends are thinking about quitting the industry.