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Local Gas Prices Hold Steady For Holiday Travel
July 4, 2010
Travel for the Fourth of July weekend is hit the pocketbook about as hard as last year, but the overall number of travelers on the road was expected to be up.
Escambia County’s average gas price on Independence Day was $2.65 for a gallon of regular unleaded —slightly higher than $2.59 last year, but way down from $4.04 in 2008. Our local gas price average was better than the national average of $2.75.
A round trip from North Escambia to Atlanta would cost about $82.70 in fuel in a 2009 Chevrolet Impala this year. Fourth of July 2008, that trip would have cost $130.89 — almost $50 more.
In the Pensacola metro area, the cheapest gas was at the Lucky Penny on Blue Angel Parkway at $2.54 for regular unleaded.
(Previous story below)AAA projected the number of Americans traveling this Fourth of July holiday weekend will increase 17.1 percent from 2009, with approximately 34.9 million travelers taking a trip at least 50 miles away from home. Last year, 29.8 million Americans traveled during the same period. The 2010 Fourth of July holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, July 1 to Monday, July 5.
“While financial markets continue to have volatility related to the European debt crisis, the landscape of the U.S. economy is in a much different place than it was one year ago,” said Glen MacDonell, director, AAA Travel Services. “It is encouraging to see such growth this summer as Americans take to the road to visit family, friends and great vacation destinations.”
As the Deepwater Horizon oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico continues most beaches remain open and while AAA offices have reported member inquiries regarding travel to the Gulf Coast, they have not experienced widespread cancellations. Additionally, travelers visit these communities for reasons other than boating and swimming including visiting family and friends, state and national parks, golfing, shopping, dining and nightlife. Therefore, AAA is projecting an increase in travel in states in the Gulf Coast region as well.
Trips by automobile are expected to increase in popularity with 90 percent of travelers, or 31.4 million people, reaching their destination by driving. This is an increase of 17.7 percent from last Fourth of July when 26.7 million travelers went by motor vehicle. AAA expects the national average price of self-serve regular gasoline to be between $2.70-$2.80 per gallon during this Fourth of July holiday weekend. Leisure air travel also is expected to grow slightly with 1.56 million holiday flyers expected. This would be an increase of 8.2 percent from one year ago when 1.44 million flew. Trips by other modes, including rail, bus and watercraft, will be the dominant means of travel used by six percent of all travelers.
Pictured above: A gas delivery at a Century station. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
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