Gas Prices Expected to Remain Steady During Busiest Travel Holiday

Gasoline prices are falling just as the busiest travel holiday of the year is upon us. But drivers shouldn’t expect gas prices to drop much lower this Fourth of July weekend, typically the busiest travel holiday of the year.

With an estimated 33 million motorists expected to hit the road this Independence Day, Jacklyn Tobin, a Public Affairs Coordinator for motorist group AAA, says that drivers should take the decline in stride.

“As far as the weekend, … prices will probably stay where they are right now, but consumers should definitely keep in mind that prices will change as they go through different states,” says Tobin.

Retail prices for a gallon of regular-grade gasoline is expected to average $3.75 per gallon during the summer driving season, up nearly 36 percent from $2.76 per gallon last summer, according to the latest report from the United States Energy Information Association (EIA), the analytics arm of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

While the decline in gas prices has slowed, falling oil prices could further ease the pain at the pump. 

The national average cost for a gallon of regular unleaded fell another nearly 16 cents since last week to $3.54 – that's almost 24 cents cheaper than a month ago, according to AAA. Prices are still up almost 28 percent, from $2.76, the price of a gallon a year ago.

In some areas, daily average prices are topping the national average by 38 cents per gallon. 

According to AAA, the current average price per gallon of regular grade gasoline in Connecticut is $3.92, down a nickel from last week, but up $1.03, approximately 36 percent, from this time last year.

On Thursday, AAA reported that gas prices in north central Connecticut ranged from $3.98 in Mansfield to $3.85 in and around Windsor.

But those prices aren't likely to stop people from visiting family or vacationing with friends this weekend, says Tobin.

“The roads are likely to be very congested,” she says. “There will be approximately 32.8 million people on the roads heading to their holiday destination.”

While there is a small decline in vehicular travel since 2010, Tobin says that the airline industry is likely making up the difference.

“There’s the possibility that consumers may be getting a better deal to fly rather than drive … but it seems to be being made up in the air travel,” says Tobin.

To conserve fuel, Tobin suggests that motorists do the following:

• Slow down. Maximum fuel economy is achieved at about 60 miles per hour. For every five miles per hour a car travels over that speed, fuel economy is reduced.
• Monitor tire pressure to ensure that tires are inflated to manufacturers’ specifications. Underinflated tires are not only dangerous, but can cut fuel economy by as much as 2 percent per pound of pressure below the recommended level.
• Lighten the load your vehicle carries. A packed vehicle will need to burn more fuel during travel.

To calculate the estimated fuel cost of your holiday weekend road trip, click here, or download AAA’s TripTik ® to your iPhone or Droid to compare frequently updated fuel costs at nearby gas stations.

And for suggestions on how to use public transit to reduce fuel use, AAA has provided the following links for local transit agencies:

• Hartford County
• Tolland County