Local Gas Prices Up This Independence Day Weekend

July 6, 2013

Travel for the Fourth of July weekend is hitting the pocketbook a little harder this 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 $3.37 for a gallon of regular unleaded —higher than $3.09 last Fourth of July.

A round trip from North Escambia to Atlanta would cost about $121.60 in fuel in a new Chevrolet Impala this year. Last year, that trip would have cost  a little less at $111.24.

AAA Travel projects 40.8 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday, a 0.8 percent decrease from the 41.1 million people who traveled last year. The anticipated decline in holiday travel is predominantly due to a shorter holiday period. Independence Day lands on a Thursday this year, returning to the standard five-day holiday, compared to the six-day period in 2012 when the holiday fell on a Wednesday. The Independence Day holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, July 3 to Sunday, July 7.

“Nearly 41 million Americans plan to travel during the Independence Day holiday weekend. Although the travel numbers are about the same as last year’s, numerous surveys show more people plan to vacation this summer than last. It may just be that they are taking their trips at other times throughout the summer,” said Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman, The Auto Club Group. “The Independence Day holiday tends to be the busiest summer holiday with more travelers than Memorial Day or Labor Day. About six million more people are expected to travel during the upcoming holiday, than this past Memorial Day weekend.”

The price of gasoline is another factor expected to play a role in spurring intentions to travel this Independence Day holiday period.  On April 6, motorists experienced a year-to-date peak average price of $3.94 per gallon for regular gasoline.  The current national average price of regular gasoline is $3.50 per gallon, 44 cents lower than the April peak and 16 cents less than this time last year.

Comments

5 Responses to “Local Gas Prices Up This Independence Day Weekend”

  1. old man on July 6th, 2013 11:44 pm

    wait till next year it will be four cents higher to pay for E CAT

  2. ralphie on July 6th, 2013 9:08 pm

    thanks …

    POTUS and Congress.

  3. keith on July 6th, 2013 1:16 pm

    i went through mobile on 98 three days ago and gas was 3.09 a gallon why is our gas so high.that is what travelers passing through ask ….it is crazy

  4. Avis Albritton on July 6th, 2013 10:00 am

    Brewton is mostly local customers and Atmore has more transient traffic with I-65, a Casino, and Florida traffic as well. Flomaton has the same situation. However, not may people travel thru Brewton to get to Florida or Mobile. Gas prices anywhere near an interstate are always higher.

  5. wonder on July 6th, 2013 3:58 am

    The gas in Brewton is a lot cheaper than Atmore .Why is this?

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News