Labor Day: Gas Prices Won't Keep Americans Off The Road

NEW YORK — Americans plan to hit the road this Labor Day weekend despite rising gas prices.

Thirty three million people will travel 50 miles or more, a 2.9 percent increase from last year, according to AAA. That's the highest level of travel for Labor Day since the start of the recession in late 2007.

A gallon of gas now costs an average $3.72 a gallon, down 22 cents from the peak reached in early April but about 40 cents more than it was on July 1.

The overwhelming majority of travelers – 85 percent – plan to drive to their destination. Once there, they will find hotel rooms costing 4 to 6 percent higher than last year.

Families planning to get away plan to spend $749. That's up from $702 last year.

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Comments

[jabaileydc]

11:45 PM on 08/22/2012

Of course gas prices are going up. It's that time of year for the oil companies to make their quarterly 10 billion profit!

[billschmidt114]

08:54 PM on 08/22/2012

Your headline read "Bad News For Holiday Drivers"
What's the bad news??

[Mara11]

04:03 PM on 08/22/2012

Such a cheerful story... is this way to say that gasoline prices go up again?

[Rad666]

03:43 PM on 08/22/2012

Most Americans have been raised to rely on automobiles for transportation. Until there is a reliable, cheaper alternate fuel, start walking and save money.

[Razorsharp1234]

02:45 PM on 08/22/2012

And again, why ar ethe prices going up again? Greed as usual. F....ers.

[gbldivmrk]

05:48 PM on 08/22/2012

The largest U S export is at this time, gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Slap a 50% export tax on all oil and oil products and tie it to the cost of domestic fuel. As the domestic price comes down so does the tax. Any company that brags about a multi-billion proffit every three months is gouging the public.

[boB boB boB]

02:25 PM on 08/22/2012

Ignorance is truly Bliss. And repooplicans are the most blissfull people around! Free Thinkers Unite!!!

[Barry Clarke]

02:00 PM on 08/22/2012

Oh. this is good. Give "Big Oil" a reason to keep prices high or even higher because they now know that Americans plan to hit the road this Labor Day no matter what the cost of gasoline.........

[telvis55]

03:15 PM on 08/22/2012

I think they already knew that and if they didn't, I don't think care either way as long as their pockets get lined.

[Ratsass2]

01:24 PM on 08/22/2012

High gas prices obama has to take care of his muslim brothers

[bigdaddy26687]

04:49 PM on 08/22/2012

!!!!!!! You No It !!!!!!!!!!

[gbldivmrk]

05:49 PM on 08/22/2012

In some ways I agree with you, however do you realize that we import more oil from Canada and Mexico than from Saudi?

[Ratsass2]

06:20 PM on 08/22/2012

I would rather give it to Canada and Mexico than Argintina and the middle east

[Heritage Sign]

12:50 PM on 08/22/2012

I'd love to see that women who was screeching about not having to worry about putting gas in her car now that Obama was president.

Still feel the same sista?

[deputy85]

01:53 PM on 08/22/2012

Thanks for the memory,, that had to be the funniest thing i had seen at the time, she was crying with happiness in her belief that the sky was gonna open up and money from Bama was gonna rain down on her and her fellow sheep,, hope they got their fair share cause the ride is about over,,,

[gbldivmrk]

05:51 PM on 08/22/2012

Remember when gas was $1.86 a gallon. That was just under four years ago under a different administration.

[Heritage Sign]

07:26 PM on 08/22/2012

Yep.

I believe she mentioned gas, groceries, and rent.

I doubt she can afford gas or groceries after four years of Obama.

Rent probably isn't a problem since she is likely unemployed and on the street.

I hope they got their belly full of this pathetic excuse for a president.

[tikibar]

12:25 PM on 08/22/2012

driving and owning a car is slowly becoming a luxury...time to saddle up a horse or mule..

[Razorsharp1234]

02:46 PM on 08/22/2012

Now that's my girl speaking.

[davidvail]

11:34 AM on 08/22/2012

Gas was $1.86 per gal. when obama took office.

[Razorsharp1234]

02:46 PM on 08/22/2012

BS, it was rally high way over $3.00 so cut thecrab and lie, when you know that it's not true.

[items17070]

04:10 PM on 08/22/2012

um yes it was!

[gbldivmrk]

05:52 PM on 08/22/2012

Yes, my foolish friend, it was $1.86 after having been higher for a time.

[Patricia Strohm]

11:21 AM on 08/22/2012

I think the gas is being sabatoged by the oil companys themself. Why else does the gas go up then down than up again. Really a fire. Can't imagine who started that!!!!!! after all gas goes down a couples cents up 35 cents at a time. Come America we are NOT DUMB

[items17070]

04:11 PM on 08/22/2012

yes we are dumb, we put up with it!

[l78lancer]

11:18 AM on 08/22/2012

The entire gas pricing scheme is a complete rip-off. There is no rhyme or reason. It's not caused by hurricanes, or war, or trouble in the middle east, but by greedy price manipulators. How else do you explain why on the same day - today - I am seeing prices that range from $3.79 to $3.35 and $3.31. And get this, these prices are at different stations but within the same companies!

And while gas prices have been rising at some stations for weeks, sometimes multiple times per week, others have remained unchanged.

Time to investigate the price gougers, again.

[gbldivmrk]

05:54 PM on 08/22/2012

An export tax of 50% on all fuels and oil exported and tied to the cost of domestic fuel would end this problem. As domestic fuel prices come down so does the tax. Grab them by the short hairs and hold on till they comply.

[l78lancer]

05:58 PM on 08/22/2012

It could work. Unfortunately those costs get passed on to the customer. I think real enforcement of already existing regs on the commodities markets to clamp down on speculation would probably do the trick in most scenarios. But then again, the repubs are running on the preise or eliminating ALL regulation.

[madcityy]

10:25 AM on 08/22/2012

thanks to mr o,,hifhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh gas pricesssssssssssssssss

[Patricia Strohm]

11:23 AM on 08/22/2012

I can't belive you are blameing Obama. OMG america is dumb

[bigdaddy26687]

04:59 PM on 08/22/2012

(I NO) For putting him in the WHITE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Canefighter]

09:35 AM on 08/22/2012

I never traveled on a holiday, I usually travel a day or two in advance to avoid the traffic.