Stable gas prices fueling rise in summer road trips

Memorial weekend to see most motorists in 12 years

SAN ANTONIO – Stability at the pump is likely behind an expected increase in summer road trips, according to a study by GasBuddy.com.  

The survey found 7 percent more people will hit the road this summer compared to last year. It all starts with Memorial Day weekend which is expected to see the most road travelers in Texas in 12 years.

Genovia Griffin was topping off her tank and pumped up for a trip to north Texas for the long weekend.

"I'm just going up there to do a little barbecuing and spend some time with my family," she said.

She'll have bumper to bumper company. According to AAA, an estimated 2.8 million Texans will travel for weekend marking the unofficial beginning of summer.

The travel surge is expected to continue. According to GasBuddy, 82 percent of those surveyed said they would make a summer road trip, a 7 percent increase over last year.

Stability at the pump is seen as a likely reason for the extra vacation plans. Typically prices soar through the spring.  This year however, the average price in San Antonio in late May, $2.13 a gallon, is only five cents more than the price at the first of the year.

That's welcome news for Nicholas Espinosa and his big family SUV.

"For two weeks, we'll be gone from Louisiana to Laredo," he said. "So, we'll live on the road for two weeks."

Prices may be nearing their peak for the year, according to Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy's senior petroleum analyst.

"While it is a possibility that prices near a yearly peak, I remain concerned about unpredictable moves from OPEC that could have an impact on gas prices," DeHaan said by email.

He added he does not expected San Antonio's average to eclipse $2.30 a gallon.

For now, however, Maria Martinez said gas prices may just mean more than one summer trip to the beach.

"Maybe I can squeeze in three," she said.

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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.