Uber is transparent about the minimum cost, cost per mile, and cost per minute. If it's higher than a cab, take a cab, If you live in a market with Lyft or Sidecar consider them. Lyft only does surge pricing in LA (called prime time tips can capped at just a 25% tip that goes directly to the driver).
As a driver for Uber and Lyft I can assure you that most of us would rather be home since most of the UberX and Lyft drivers are not professional drivers (unlike the other flavors of Uber), but by driving for Lyft and Uber I can afford a lot more first class travel so I will be Ubering in Charlotte on NYE.
I think Charlotte will only hit 2x at the highest though. NYC, SF, DC, and LA may be different stories though and depending on weather may hit 7x.