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BUFFALO, N.Y. – As the holiday travel weekend gets underway, a record number of people are expected to travel, despite rising gas prices. This year, it’s projected that, between Thursday and Monday, a record 39.1 million people will hit the road, about 87% of those projected to travel. AAA says 3.66 million people are expected to fly.
AAA says they’ve found that people want to travel to be with family or to have experiences. Last year, AAA responded to nearly 13,000 roadside requests. The most common issues AAA sees are dead batteries, flat tires and keys locked in vehicles. AAA advises getting your components checked, like your battery, fuel system, tires, brakes and fluid levels. Make sure your vehicle’s emergency kit is fully stocked, too.
"Try to keep the fuel level above a quarter of a tank at all times if possible," Kevin Fortner, AAA associate manager of fleet operations, said. "An empty fuel tank can lead to more problems down the road."
While gas prices have yet to hit the state record high from June 2022 ($5.04), the average price at the pump is $4.60, as of May 22.
A year ago, it was just over $3. If you are driving, AAA reps say just look around.
"Sometimes, it’s a matter of making a left rather than a right," Elizabeth Carey, director of public relations for AAA WCNY, said. "Gas stations have the right to set their own prices so you can shop around."
As for the rest of summer travel, AAA shared an outlook.
Airfare for Memorial Day Weekend was lower than last year. AAA says if you want to travel this summer, book sooner rather than later, as waiting until the last minute will not save you money.
As far as gas prices go, AAA says they typically peak in June.
