Rising Gas Prices Unlikely to Impact Short-Term Memorial Day Plans
Industry experts say if gas remains over $4.00 a gallon for an extended period of time, people may forego traveling for later summer events like the Fourth of July.
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Gas prices continue to rise nationwide, and many are wondering how that pinch at the pump may affect travel over the busy Memorial Day weekend.
According to AAA, the average price of gas in Cass County, North Dakota is 4 dollars and 23 cents per gallon.
There will be an estimated 49 million people travelling over Memorial Day weekend – 39 million of them by roads.
Experts say those who are determined to travel will find a way to make it fit their budget, while others who were more on the fence will likely sit this holiday out.
They also believe the near record-high prices won’t have too much of an impact on the average person’s day-to-day life.
“The all-time high set for Fargo-Moorhead was $4.74 in June of 2022. We’re in a fairly similar fact pattern right now,” said Skyler McKinley of AAA. “It hurts in the moment, we make tough choices in the moment, but we’re pretty resilient, pretty good as a culture at getting through high prices,” he added.
“They won’t last forever,” McKinley also said.
AAA says their data indicates if any behaviors do change as a result of gas prices, it’s usually families attempting to get all their errands done in a single car trip and also being more strategic about where they choose to fill up their vehicles.
