The largest seasonal surge in gas prices since 2011 hasn’t put a roadblock in summer travel plans. If anything, more Americans are actually hitting the road than in past years.
According to GasBuddy’s Summer Travel Survey, nearly 75 percent of Americans reported that they will take a road trip this summer, which is a 16 percent increase from 2018.
Head of Petroleum Analysis at GasBuddy Patrick DeHaan shared that the increase in motorists’ desire to hit the road comes as the national average has gently fallen after advancing 67 cents per gallon from New Year’s Day to a peak on May 4th.
This was the second largest seasonal rise recorded in recent years, behind a 93 cents per gallon surge that occurred in 2011.
According to the most recent predictions from GasBuddy, drivers can expect some relief from the spring’s steep prices soon. DeHaan reported on Friday that nearly all states across the country can expect to see a price drop at the pumps over the weekend.
He shared that, while the next 90 days may see some bumps in the road here and there, most motorists will be greeted with prices under $3 per gallon for a majority of the summer.
He added that, overall, the biggest risk factors for rising gas prices include unexpected refinery outages, mainly in challenged areas such as the Midwest or West Coast, as well as a potential trade deal between the U.S. and China and any rise in Middle East tensions, primarily between America and Iran.
Otherwise, DeHaan said that drivers can expect this summer’s gas prices to be similar, and in some places, lower than they were last year.
