What gas prices look like ahead of Memorial Day weekend

Anyone planning to travel by automobile for Memorial Day weekend can expect to pay a little more at the pump, as gas prices will make their regular boost for the holiday weekend.

With a record number of people in the U.S. planning road trips between Memorial Day and Labor Day, keep in mind that holiday travel comes at a slightly higher cost. Here’s more:

Gas prices this weekend and beyond

According to GasBuddy.com, 76 percent of Americans plan to take a road trip between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, up 18 percent from 2023.

“It looks like it’ll be a busy start to the summer driving season, and while Americans gripe about the cost of gasoline, it doesn’t seem that too many are going to be deterred from hitting the road. Great news for those who are planning to travel: Motorists are likely to see more stations lowering prices to $2.99 per gallon or less as the summer wears on, and refiners ramp up output after finishing maintenance. Hurricane season is a major wildcard for those hitting the road this summer, but absent a major storm in the Gulf, gas prices should not be much of a hindrance for those taking a road trip.”

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy

The average traveler has two road trips planned, with many venturing far – 49 percent expect to drive five or more hours to reach their destination.

AAA expects a record-high 38.4 million people in the U.S. will travel by car more than 50 miles this weekend, which increases the demand for gas — hence increasing the price.

Alabama gas prices below national average

According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.61, higher than the Alabama average of $3.23 per gallon. Madison County’s average gallon of gas stands at $3.35 per gallon as of Wednesday.

Here is the current breakdown of average gas prices in Alabama cities

• Anniston: $3.20
• Auburn: $3.22
• Birmingham: $3.24
• Daphne/Fairhope: $3.18
• Decatur: $3.17
• Dothan: $3.25
• Florence: $.3.24
• Gadsden: $3.09
• Huntsville: $3.26
• Mobile: $3.18
• Montgomery: $3.25
• Tuscaloosa: $3.19

Surrounding states’ averages look like this:

• Georgia: $3.39
• Florida: $3.55
• Mississippi: $3.06
• Tennessee: $3.22
• Louisiana: $3.16

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