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AAA says some 617,000 Oregonians are planning to travel this Memorial Day weekend. They’ll be paying slightly higher prices for gas than they have in recent weeks, but less than they did last year.
Planning on taking a road trip this Memorial Day weekend?
You won’t be alone.
The auto club AAA says travel this weekend is likely to set a Memorial Day record, with about 617,000 Oregonians planning at least short trips. (For perspective, that’s about 14% of all Oregonians.)
In a news release, AAA said most of that travel will be by car; the organization said 506,000 Oregonians will be on the road during the weekend, and it may seem at times that every single one of them will be right in front of you on Interstate 5.
AAA defines the Memorial Day weekend as beginning Thursday and stretching through Monday.
“Despite concerns about the economy, travelers say they’re taking advantage of the long holiday weekend to spend time with loved ones, and many are planning trips closer to home,” Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho, said in the news release.
Local travelers also are shrugging off slightly higher prices for gasoline. AAA said the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gas in Eugene-Springfield was $3.972 as of Friday, a little lower than the average Oregon price of $4.011. The good news is that Oregon gas prices are 49 cents lower than last year.
The national average, by the way, is $3.196.
Gas prices on the West Coast have been on the rise for the last couple of weeks, AAA said. Some of the price increase is seasonal, it said, as refineries undergo maintenance ahead of the switch to summer-blend fuel, which is less likely to evaporate in warmer temperatures and costs more to produce than winter blend.
A recent fire at a refinery in Northern California and rising crude oil prices also have put extra pressure on gas prices, AAA said.
To avoid the heaviest traffic on area highways, AAA recommends traveling before noon and in the evenings. Be sure to allow extra time to reach your destination.
