SAN ANTONIO – Thomas Mayberry's truck will get a measly nine miles to the gallon pulling the big RV all the way to the beaches of Florida.
Still, he and his wife will be among the 2.1 million Texans expected to hit the road for the long Labor Day weekend.
Recommended Videos
"The weather's nice. Most people are back in school," he said. "Just kind of kickin' back."
The roads should be busier for the Labor Day getaway than they've been for the past five, since just before the economy tanked into recession.
Seems people may be feeling more optimistic about the economy, particularly the housing market.
"People are saving money, and they can travel. They can afford it," said Sara Pode, who's driving cross-country.
Filling up here for that road trip costs an average $3.37. That's a dime less than one month ago and two dimes cheaper than last Labor Day.
But that's still too high for Barbara Steven, a mom who chauffeurs her kids to school and sports.
"This is all I got," she said holding out $14 in cash. "I pray to God I get to my destination."
Mom Shawon Eubaire agreed prices are still too high to head out on a weekend drive.
"It's called options," she said. "You either eat, pay bills or go on a Labor Day vacation."
Prices typically drop after Labor Day because with kids back in school, demand for gas drops.
However, crude prices have jumped in the past few days amid the tensions over Syria. Some oil analysts predict a 10-cent a gallon spike at the pump will follow.
For a list of recent stories Marilyn Moritz has done, click here.