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Gas prices increase, Memorial Day travel plans get cut Save Email Print
Posted: 4:45 PM May 15, 2008
Last Updated: 4:46 PM May 15, 2008

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Another day, another record high for gas prices in Tennessee as the average price for a gallon of unleaded is up two cents to $3.78.

The average in Tennessee is 12 cents cheaper, and Knoxville's two cents cheaper still.

We're up 41 cents a gallon since this time last month, and we’re up almost 80 cents since last year. That’s not very good if you're hitting the road for Memorial Day, but a AAA report says fewer people are.

Volunteer TV talked to some people to find out if, or where they were going for their Memorial Day trip.

Driver Andrea Ashe is shocked by gas prices, and says, “I thought three dollars would be as high as it goes and then, oh it will go back down. It hasn't. I'm shocked."

The price of gas is starting to have an effect on travel. AAA is predicting just less than 38 million travelers will hit the roadways for the Memorial Day weekend. That's 360,000 fewer travelers, and a decrease of nearly a percent from last year.

AAA spokesperson Stephanie Milani says, “Over the years, we've seen that people are going to travel more, there's more people traveling, so instead of increasing travel, we're seeing at least a flat rate this year."

Traveling to Memphis you'll see $3.61 a gallon, $3.66 in Nashville, and $3.68 in the Tri-Cities, but going out of state will cost you more. In Charlotte, N.C. gas ranges is $3.75 a gallon, and $3.91 in Cincinnati, Ohio and Louisville, Ky.

April Conrad is giving up on a Memorial Day Trip, and says, "It's really hard to just really make it around town these days, or do things that are across town on Clinton Highway or something."

So some motorists are electing to be a member of the group of decreased travelers.

Conrad says, "I normally go down to Nashville to see my family.” But this year she’s not, “because it's just going to be a lot more expensive this year."

If prices continue upward, Milani believes motorists will continue to travel with the higher prices.

Would-be traveler Allison Rodriguez says, "Still going to go, you know if possible, but the budget is slim now."

But how people travel may change.

Milani says, "Maybe just going to take that trip to visit family in a nearby destination so they don't have to pay so much for a hotel."

Some are already making those changes.

Ashe says, "We have cut down everything. We do trips from work, to the store, to home. We don't go out on the weekends. We stay home a lot now."

So, if you're thinking about making a trip but aren't quite sure if you have enough money for gas, AAA has some tips in their “Gas Watcher’s Guide.” It can be found by going to VolunteerTV.com, then click on the Hot Key.

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Posted by: Elaine Location: Atlanta on May 22, 2008 at 04:55 AM
Elizabeth says drill in Alaska? Why is it even a question? It's our land- that is American land - so just do it. Oh and those Moose or elk or whatever? It is TOO COLD for them up there folks - it ain't so - don't believe everything you read! Lindsey Williams (do a search on him) tapes and YouTube says it all; they snoggled us with lies in the 70's thinking we will still believe the lies. Why are they so naive?

Posted by: Elizabeth Location: knox on May 15, 2008 at 08:54 PM
Gas prices are not ever going to go back down,its time we all realized that.It may go down a few cents but I doubt we will ever see prices below $3.00 again.As long as we need gasoline,the money hungry criminals in the oil industry will keep gauging us.The government needs to step in and put some sort of cap on what we will pay for gas.We should also open more oil wells in this country.Ethanol(corn)is not the answer,its use is going to create food shortages.I say drill in Alaska.