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Boston Globe
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Boston Globe
Nearly 62 million Americans will hit the road over July 4, AAA predicts
Advertisement 'Because gas prices have been so much lower than this time last year, it's going to be a bit of a rise, but there's no indication we will hit where we were last summer,' said Aixa Diaz, an AAA spokesperson. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Even with the increase in road trips, gasoline demand isn't projected to get a significant boost as vehicles' improving fuel efficiency curbs consumption. Demand — which was down about 1 percent from last year as of last week — will decline this year and next, and retail gasoline prices will drop across most of the US through the end of 2026, according to the Energy Information Administration. Oil prices had slumped for much of this year as OPEC and its allies revived supply faster than expected and US President Donald Trump's trade war weighed on the outlook for demand. Those dynamics had helped keep gasoline prices in check, but now hostilities between Iran and Israel are emerging as key drivers of the market, raising fears of disruption to crude production and a potential blockage of the Strait of Hormuz. Advertisement The surge in oil prices from the Israel-Iran conflict is 'setting the stage for additional price hikes at gas pumps across the country,' said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. 'Motorists should prepare for what will likely be modest price increases — for now — but the situation has the potential to worsen at any moment.' While road trips are the most popular form of travel, a record 5.84 million people are expected to fly during the holiday period as well, up 1.4 percent from last year, AAA said. The slower growth for air travel is a consequence of rising costs, with a round-trip domestic flight averaging $810, 4 percent more than last year, the group said. Still, the Transportation Security Administration screened more than 3 million passengers in a single day over the Memorial Day holiday, nearing its busiest day ever.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's How Much Gas Prices Have Changed in Each State Since Last Year
It's not a question of if gas costs less in your state than it did a year ago. It's a question of how much less. Read More: Find Out: The average price for a gallon of regular gas is down year-over-year in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. That's according to an analysis of fuel prices reported by AAA as of May 23. The full state-by-state list is included below. 'The main reason is the price of crude oil has been lower — about $60 a barrel compared to last year when it was about $80 a barrel,' AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. 'This year, OPEC+ has announced production increases, which have increased supply even though demand hasn't been as robust as in years past.' According to AAA's numbers, New Hampshire posted the largest year-over-year decrease with a 17.36-percent reduction. A year ago, New Hampshire residents were paying $3.51 per gallon of regular gas on average. Today, they're paying about $2.91 a gallon. On the other end of the spectrum, the state of Washington had the most modest decrease – about 5.5%. A gallon of regular gas in Washington cost $4.60 on average a year ago, compared to $4.40 today. Washington's $4.40 figure is the third-highest in the nation, by the way, trailing only California ($4.86) and Hawaii ($4.49). States with the lowest cost per gallon of regular include Mississippi ($2.66), Louisiana ($2.71) and Oklahoma ($2.82). Nationally, the average cost per gallon was $3.19 as of May 23, according to AAA's report. That's down 11.4 percent from last year's average cost — $3.59. 'Typically, gasoline prices rise as spring progresses and into the summer due to increased demand and refinery maintenance,' said Gerald L. Perrins, Jr., who also tracks the figures with the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Division of Consumer Prices and Price Indexes. 'However, the current decline in oil prices has delayed this seasonal increase.' Here is a state-by-state breakdown of how prices have changed since a year ago, based on AAA's figures from May 23: Alabama Current average cost per gallon: $2.74 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.20 Year-over-year change: -13.97% Alaska Current average cost per gallon: $3.66 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $4.35 Year-over-year change: -16.61% Arizona Current average cost per gallon: $3.38 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.90 Year-over-year change: -13.09% Arkansas Current average cost per gallon: $2.80 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.112 Year-over-year change: -9.71% California Current average cost per gallon: $4.86 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $5.20 Year-over-year change: -5.65% Colorado Current average cost per gallon: $3.18 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.36 Year-over-year change: -7.23% Connecticut Current average cost per gallon: $3.12 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.69 Year-over-year change: -15.68% Delaware Current average cost per gallon: $2.97 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.45 Year-over-year change: -13.53% Florida Current average cost per gallon: $3.12 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.45 Year-over-year change: -11.94% Georgia Current average cost per gallon: $2.93 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.39 Year-over-year change: -13.85% Hawaii Current average cost per gallon: $4.49 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $4.80 Year-over-year change: -6.57% Idaho Current average cost per gallon: $3.31 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.81 Year-over-year change: -14.03% Illinois Current average cost per gallon: $3.44 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.88 Year-over-year change: -12.99% Indiana Current average cost per gallon: $3.26 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.62 Year-over-year change: -12.48% Iowa Current average cost per gallon: $2.99 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.20 Year-over-year change: -8.09% Kansas Current average cost per gallon: $2.90 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.15 Year-over-year change: -8.94% Kentucky Current average cost per gallon: $2.85 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.34 Year-over-year change: -13.79% Louisiana Current average cost per gallon: $2.72 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.13 Year-over-year change: -13.03% Maine Current average cost per gallon: $3.06 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.56 Year-over-year change: -15.53% Maryland Current average cost per gallon: $3.08 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.549 Year-over-year change: -12.74% Massachusetts Current average cost per gallon: $3.01 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.56 Year-over-year change: -15.80% Michigan Current average cost per gallon: $3.26 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.55 Year-over-year change: -10.83% Minnesota Current average cost per gallon: $3.05 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.23 Year-over-year change: -6.47% Mississippi Current average cost per gallon: $2.66 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.06 Year-over-year change: -12.76 Missouri Current average cost per gallon: $2.87 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.20 Year-over-year change: -10.40% Montana Current average cost per gallon: $3.20 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.48 Year-over-year change: -8.77% Nebraska Current average cost per gallon: $2.99 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.28 Year-over-year change: -9.29% Nevada Current average cost per gallon: $3.94 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $4.38 Year-over-year change: -9.51% New Hampshire Current average cost per gallon: $2.91 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.50 Year-over-year change: -17.36% New Jersey Current average cost per gallon: $3.07 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.52 Year-over-year change: -14.79% New Mexico Current average cost per gallon: $2.93 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.34 Year-over-year change: -11.51% New York Current average cost per gallon: $3.13 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.70 Year-over-year change: -15.42% North Carolina Current average cost per gallon: $2.88 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.35 Year-over-year change: -14.88% North Dakota Current average cost per gallon: $2.92 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.32 Year-over-year change: -12.01% Ohio Current average cost per gallon: $3.09 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.60 Year-over-year change: -15.66% Oklahoma Current average cost per gallon: $2.82 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.11 Year-over-year change: -9.97% Oregon Current average cost per gallon: $4.01 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $4.38 Year-over-year change: -9.59% Pennsylvania Current average cost per gallon: $3.331 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.74 Year-over-year change: -11.91% Rhode Island Current average cost per gallon: $3.01 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.57 Year-over-year change: -15.91% South Carolina Current average cost per gallon: $2.80 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.21 Year-over-year change: -13.47% South Dakota Current average cost per gallon: $3.02 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.29 Year-over-year change: -8.58% Tennessee Current average cost per gallon: $2.77 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.16 Year-over-year change: -14.00% Texas Current average cost per gallon: $2.78 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.15 Year-over-year change: -11.44% Utah Current average cost per gallon: $3.30 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.69 Year-over-year change: -11.64% Vermont Current average cost per gallon: $3.09 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.61 Year-over-year change: -14.86% Virginia Current average cost per gallon: $3.04 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.40 Year-over-year change: -12.49% Washington Current average cost per gallon: $4.40 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $4.60 Year-over-year change: -5.54% West Virginia Current average cost per gallon: $3.04 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.50 Year-over-year change: -14.38% Wisconsin Current average cost per gallon: $3.05 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.38 Year-over-year change: -11.72% Wyoming Current average cost per gallon: $3.17 Average cost per gallon one year ago: $3.32 Year-over-year change: -5.06% More From GOBankingRates How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Every State? This article originally appeared on Here's How Much Gas Prices Have Changed in Each State Since Last Year
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
If you haven't left yet, it may be too late to avoid the Memorial Day travel rush
Freeways and airports across the U.S. filled up on Friday as more people made their getaways for the long Memorial Day weekend. Even as politics and the nation's aging air traffic infrastructure rattle the U.S. travel industry, Americans were expected to travel in record numbers. Auto club organization AAA predicted that over 45 million people — 1.4 million more than last year — would venture at least 50 miles from their homes between Thursday and Monday, with the vast majority going by car. The holiday's previous domestic travel record of 44 million was set 20 years ago. The analysts who prepared the forecast weren't sure when they started their research if concerns about the economy would cause fewer U.S. residents to plan getaways for the unofficial start of summer, but it doesn't seem to be the case, AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. 'People are still feeling pretty good about travel,' Diaz said, adding that some households and individuals may just opt to spend less money on their trips. Travelers should remember to keep any eye out for severe weather warnings. Weather, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, is the leading cause of flight delays. Thunderstorms, tornadoes and other extreme conditions also can make driving and outdoor pursuits more dangerous. The National Weather Service said a multi-day thunderstorm forecast for the south-central U.S. might bring large hail, strong wind gusts and a possible tornado in parts of the Great Plains through Monday. The National Weather Center said considerable flooding was likely from the Central Plains into the Ozarks and from central Texas to the Tennessee Valley. Like last year, about 87% of travelers will drive to their Memorial Day destinations, AAA said. About 39 million people were expected to take road trips, which Diaz noted many families find easier and cheaper than flying. 'You leave whenever you want,' she said. 'You can pack as much as you want in the car, make stops along the way.' AAA's fuel tracker showed motorists could expect to pay less for gasoline this year; the U.S. average price on Friday was about $3.20 for a gallon of regular gas compared to $3.61 a year ago. Renting a vehicle and staying in a hotel also may cost less, according to the most recent Consumer Price Index. The roads are always busiest in the afternoons and evenings. Transportation data firm INRIX said people planning to return home on Memorial Day itself should try to leave before the busiest hours of 4 p.m.-7 p.m. The Transportation Security Administration said it expected to screen about 18 million passengers and crew at airports across the U.S. from Thursday through Wednesday. Flights were expected to peak on Thursday with almost 54,000 scheduled, although airports were also expected to be busy Friday, according to the FAA. Air safety has become a factor for many travelers after the deadly midair collision in January of a passenger jet and a U.S. Army helicopter above Washington, D.C. In recent weeks, flight delays and cancellations stemming from an air traffic controller shortage and equipment failures at a facility that directs aircraft in and out of the Newark, New Jersey, airport have also made some people wonder whether to get on a plane. Gary Anderson thought twice before he and his wife booked flights to fly from their home in Washington D.C. to Dallas on Thursday to attend a relative's high school graduation. While the safety of flying has been 'on the back of our mind,' the couple, who are both truck drivers, decided they didn't want to spend so much of their time off driving, Anderson, 46, said. 'We're going to try to eat some good food down here and we're going to try to chill and just enjoy the graduation,' he said. Most major U.S. airlines said they planned to reduce their scheduled domestic flights this summer, citing an ebb in economy passengers booking leisure trips. Bank of America reported this month that its credit card customers were spending less on flights and lodging. In 2024, the Friday before Memorial Day was among the record-setting days for the number of airline passengers screened at U.S. airports. AAA did not expect the holiday weekend to produce an air travel record. But an analysis by aviation data provider Cirium of tickets bought through online travel sites for Memorial Day weekend found 6% more booking across almost two dozen U.S. airports compared to last year. Danielle Clinton, 28, arrived at Love Field in Dallas on Thursday morning from Chicago. She was coming into town to celebrate her birthday with her mother and twin sister, who live in Dallas, and friends who were also flying in. She said the flight marked her first trip of the year and she was pleased to get a round-trip airfare for about $200. The U.S. travel and tourism industry will watching during the weekend and the weeks ahead to see what might be in store for the summer travel season. Tourism industry experts have warned that anger about the Trump administration's tariffs and rhetoric, and concern about tourist detentions at the U.S. border, have made citizens of some other countries less interested in traveling to the U.S. The national statistics agency of Canada reported last week that the number of residents making return trips by air from the U.S. fell 20% in April compared to the same month a year earlier, while return trips by car were down 35%. Across Texas, reservations for day passes and camping spots were filling up at state parks ahead of the weekend, said Tara Humphreys, director of interpretation with Texas State Parks. Stargazing parties were among events planned at parks across the state. Bolstered by its theme parks and nearby cruise port, Orlando, Florida, topped AAA's list of most popular domestic destinations for the weekend. The city's newest theme park, Universal's Epic Universe, opened Thursday. Long weekends are a good time to hop on a short flight to a big city, said Hayley Berg, lead economist at the travel site Hopper. She said top searches for the weekend included New York, Miami and Las Vegas. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Epoch Times
23-05-2025
- Epoch Times
Americans Are Expected to Set Travel Record on Memorial Day Weekend
Between trips along the nation's highways and byways or flights high in the sky, Americans are determined to travel in what may be record numbers this year for Memorial Day weekend. Roughly 45.1 million of them are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between May 22 and May 26 for the long weekend, according to The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Even amid what With so many off work and school, holiday travel overall has been surging to new records over the previous years following the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Americans are craving 'experiences over material things,' said AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz. Related Stories 5/18/2025 5/22/2025 'Travel is a personal and emotional decision,' Diaz told The Epoch Times. 'Trips don't have to be costly. Travel can be as simple as packing up the car, driving to a nearby beach or lake, and staying with family and friends.' Gasoline prices are dropping. As of May 22, the current U.S. average gasoline price is $3.195, down from $3.61 a year ago, Severe weather in multiple states could affect vacation plans. Here's what to expect from Memorial Day travel in 2025. On the Road Roughly 39.4 million people are projected to hit the open road this year for Memorial Day weekend, which is an additional one million travelers than in 2024, according to AAA. That means 87 percent of Americans traveling this weekend will opt to drive instead of other modes of transportation, in part because of the lower gas prices. Road trips are also easy, offer flexibility, and are a more viable option for most people, Diaz noted. And since some students will be due back in school on Tuesday, others opt to drive to destinations 'closer to home over the long weekend,' she said. Car rentals for Memorial Day travel are averaging $44 per day, which is in line with last year's prices, Hertz, a AAA car rental partner, said Friday is expected to be the busiest pickup day, with SUVs being among the most popular rental vehicles for the weekend travel. The cities with the highest demand for rental cars include Orlando, Denver, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Miami, and Seattle. INRIX, a provider of transportation data and analysis, Cities like Boston, New York, San Francisco, and Washington could have the heaviest traffic this weekend, INRIX said. In the Air Despite some growing concerns over commercial aviation, particularly after repeat air traffic control Hundreds of thousands of Americans are expected to book flights for this weekend, the agency said. AAA is anticipating an increase in Memorial Day weekend air travel from last year, when 3.55 million travelers chose to fly to their destinations. This year, 3.61 million Americans are projected to take to the skies, a 2 percent increase from 2024. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects to screen roughly 18 million passengers between May 22 and May 28 this year, according to a Last year, the TSA Luckily, prices on air travel are only up an average of $2 per ticket, according to Hopper. This year, the average airfare for the long Memorial Day weekend is roughly $258 per round-trip ticket. Hopper said the most popular destination cities are Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Chicago, Hopper said. The five airports expected to get the most traffic are Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago O'Hare, Denver, and Los Angeles. Since flights departing after 9 a.m. are twice as likely to be delayed as departures scheduled between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m., Hopper recommends that travelers depart as early in the morning as possible. Also, travelers flying in and out of Newark Airport should be aware of the FAA's Weather Outlook Many of the areas that have been seeing severe weather over the past week may see heavy rain and thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service. That Travelers are advised to plan ahead and avoid driving on flooded roadways. Based on current AccuWeather On Memorial Day, thunderstorms could affect the Southeast from the lower part of the Mississippi River to Georgia and the Carolinas. AccuWeather senior meteorologist John Feerick said that several areas, like southeast Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas, may get hit with thunderstorms repeatedly over the weekend, which could have a snowball effect on flash flooding. 'Flooding is obviously one of the big killers, so people have to be aware,' Feerick told The Epoch Times. Anyone out on the roads should avoid driving through high water and find alternative routes, he said. There's also a May nor'easter creeping across the north from the Midwest into the Northeast this week, AccuWeather Feerick said the South is expected to be hotter than average this weekend, from South Texas through Florida. 'So, compared to average, it's maybe not going to be quite as shocking. But still, it's probably going to be 5–10 degrees above average,' he said. As for the regions that may see the most vacation-friendly weather for Memorial Day weekend, Feerick pointed to the Southwest, including southern California, and the Gulf Coast, stretching from Houston to South Florida. While these areas may see higher temperatures than average, 'it doesn't look like there's going to be much in terms of thunderstorms.' The mid-Atlantic near the nation's capital may see cooler temperatures, but will be mostly dry this weekend, he said.
Chicago Tribune
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Chicago Tribune
The Memorial Day travel rush is off to an early start
DALLAS — People began loading up their cars and jumping on planes across the U.S. on Thursday as the long Memorial Day weekend kicked off. Even as politics and the nation's aging air traffic infrastructure rattle the U.S. travel industry, Americans were expected to get away in record numbers. Auto club organization AAA predicted that over 45 million people — 1.4 million more than last year — would venture at least 50 miles from their homes between Thursday and Monday, with the vast majority going by car. The holiday's previous domestic travel record was set 20 years ago. The analysts who prepared the forecast weren't sure when they started their research if concerns about the economy would cause fewer U.S. residents to plan getaways for the unofficial start of summer, but it doesn't seem to be the case, AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. 'People are still feeling pretty good about travel,' Diaz said, adding that some households and individuals may just opt to spend less money on their trips. Temperatures over the holiday weekend will be a study in contrasts — from warm across much of the South and West to cool across much of the Midwest and Northeast, said Peter Mullinax, a meteorologist at the federal Weather Prediction Center. 'For those who are going to the beaches in the Mid-Atlantic — places like Ocean City or the Jersey Shore — it's going to feel far from the unofficial kickoff of summer,' Mullinax said. 'Meanwhile, you can go to the South and there's places in Texas that are 90s, 100.' Travelers should remember to keep any eye out for severe weather warnings. Weather, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, is the leading cause of flight delays. Thunderstorms, tornadoes and other extreme conditions also can make driving and outdoor pursuits more dangerous. In New England, an unusual May nor'easter brought rain, wind and dark skies on Thursday and threatened to bring snow to higher elevations. Rain was expected over the weekend across parts of the Midwest and South. Like last year, about 87% of travelers will drive to their Memorial Day destinations, AAA said. About 39 million people are expected to take road trips, which Diaz noted many families find easier and cheaper than flying. 'You leave whenever you want,' she said. 'You can pack as much as you want in the car, make stops along the way.' AAA's fuel tracker shows motorists can expect to pay less for gasoline this year; the U.S. average price on Thursday was about $3.20 for a gallon of regular gas compared to $3.61 a year ago. Renting a vehicle and staying in a hotel also may cost less, according to the most recent Consumer Price Index. Transportation-data firm INRIX anticipates the worst holiday traffic will be in the afternoons and evenings. It said drivers hitting the road on Thursday should have left before 12 p.m., and those planning Friday departures should leave before 11 a.m. On Memorial Day itself, the firm predicts the most congested time on roads will be 4 p.m.-7 p.m. The Transportation Security Administration said it expected to screen about 18 million passengers and crew at airports across the U.S. from Thursday through Wednesday. Flights were expected to peak on Thursday with almost 54,000 scheduled, although airports should also be busy Friday, according to the FAA. Air safety has become a factor for many travelers after the deadly midair collision in January of a passenger jet and a U.S. Army helicopter above Washington, D.C. In recent weeks, flight delays and cancellations stemming from an air traffic controller shortage and equipment failuresat a facility that directs aircraft in and out of the Newark, New Jersey, airport have also made some people wonder whether to get on a plane. Gary Anderson thought twice before he and his wife booked flights to fly from their home in Washington D.C. to Dallas on Thursday to attend a relative's high school graduation. While the safety of flying has been 'on the back of our mind,' the couple, who are both truck drivers, decided they didn't want to spend so much of their time off driving, Anderson, 46, said. 'We're going to try to eat some good food down here and we're going to try to chill and just enjoy the graduation,' he said. Most major U.S. airlines said they planned to reduce their scheduled domestic flights this summer, citing an ebb in economy passengers booking leisure trips. Bank of America reported this month that its credit card customers were spending less on flights and lodging. In 2024, the Friday before Memorial Day was among the record-setting days for the number of airline passengers screened at U.S. airports. AAA did not expect the holiday weekend to produce an air travel record. But an analysis by aviation data provider Cirium of tickets bought through online travel sites for Memorial Day weekend found 6% more booking across almost two dozen U.S. airports compared to last year. Danielle Clinton, 28, arrived at Love Field in Dallas on Thursday morning from Chicago. She was coming into town to celebrate her birthday with her mother and twin sister, who live in Dallas, and friends who were also flying in. She said the flight marked her first trip of the year and she was pleased to get a round-trip airfare for about $200. The U.S. travel and tourism industry will watching during the weekend and the weeks ahead to see what might be in store for the summer travel season. Tourism industry experts have warned that anger about the Trump administration's tariffs and rhetoric, and concern about tourist detentions at the U.S. border, have made citizens of some other countriesless interested in traveling to the U.S. The national statistics agency of Canada reported last week that the number of residents making return trips by air from the U.S. fell 20% in April compared to the same month a year earlier, while return trips by car were down 35%. Across Texas, reservations for day passes and camping spots were filling up at state parks ahead of the weekend, said Tara Humphreys, director of interpretation with Texas State Parks. Stargazing parties were among events planned at parks across the state. Bolstered by its theme parks and nearby cruise port, Orlando, Florida, topped AAA's list of most popular domestic destinations for the weekend. The city's newest theme park, Universal's Epic Universe, opened Thursday. Long weekends are a good time to hop on a short flight to a big city, said Hayley Berg, lead economist at the travel site Hopper. She said top searches for the weekend included New York, Miami and Las Vegas.
