Gas prices, job market fueling Memorial Day travel boost

AAA anticipates most Memorial Day weekend travel in 10 years

SAN ANTONIO – Jose Gutierrez will be hitting the highway to Louisiana for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

"Going to Coushatta," he said.

He'll have plenty of company on the roads.

AAA projects 33 million Americans will hop into the car for an unofficial kickoff to summer road trip, a 5.3 percent increase over last year and the most since 2005.

A road trip is defined as traveling at least 50 miles from home.

"I think when people want to get out and about, they do," said Jeremy Villarreal, who said he's expecting to stay local.

Beaches, lakes and rivers should be popular destinations for the three-day weekend.

Analysts attribute the increase to a stronger job market and stronger stock market.

The price at the pump may be incentive, too. San Antonio could see the cheapest Memorial Day weekend fuel prices in six years.

Gas prices have been climbing, rising 26 cents in the past month.

San Antonio's average is $2.39 a gallon. One year ago, the average prices was $3.37.

College student Robert Petitto has a lot riding on the price at the pump.  His girlfriend lives 200 miles away.

"That's why we've got to switch off between her driving down and me driving down," he said.

He's already planning his Memorial Day weekend road trip.


About the Author:

Marilyn Moritz is an award-winning journalist dedicated to digging up information that can make people’s lives a little bit better. As KSAT’S 12 On Your Side Consumer reporter, she focuses on exposing scams and dangerous products and helping people save money.