76% of Americans plan to hit the road as gas
prices fall ahead of Memorial Day
DALLAS, May 21, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- GasBuddy, the leading fuel savings platform
providing North American drivers with the most ways to save money
on gas, today released its 2024 Summer Travel Survey results and
forecast for Memorial Day travel, revealing a near-record number of
Americans planning to road trip this summer as gas prices continue
to decline ahead of the holiday weekend. GasBuddy estimates the
national average will hold in the mid-$3 per gallon range for much of the summer, with
potentially tens of thousands of stations falling below
$3 per gallon throughout the next
several months. GasBuddy forecasts that gas prices will average
$3.58 per gallon nationally between
Memorial Day and Labor Day.
More Americans Plan to Hit the Road
According to GasBuddy's survey, 76% of Americans plan to take a
road trip between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, up 18% from
2023. The average traveler has two road trips planned, with many
venturing far – 49% expect to drive 5 or more hours to reach their
destination.
Setting the Stage for Major Travel Holidays
Among major travel holidays, Memorial Day is the most popular
with 60% planning a road trip, followed by Independence Day at 45%
and Labor Day at 34%. Over half (58%) of road trippers have already
confirmed their plans by booking accommodation. GasBuddy expects
July 4 to be the lowest priced
holiday at the pump, with Labor Day a bit uncertain due to
hurricane season.
Gas Prices are a Major Factor
in Where to Stop
While road trips may reign supreme, expenses are a major factor
shaping summer travel this year. 63% of survey respondents cited
cost as their top consideration when planning trips. 46% said high
gas costs this year have impacted their itineraries. And though
price reigns in importance, few Americans are looking at an
electric vehicle to alleviate fuel costs: just some 15% of
respondents are thinking about purchasing an EV.
Tips to Spend Less at the Pump, All Summer Long
While prices at the pump won't reach record-highs this year,
drivers can leverage tools to save substantially on summer road
trip gas.
- Use the GasBuddy app. Before getting low on gas, plan your
next fill up and find the lowest priced station on your route.
Savings can range from 10 to 50 cents
per gallon over just a few blocks.
- Mind the line. State lines can bring significant changes in
gasoline taxes, and motorists should be vigilant during their road
trip as picking the right side of the line can result in savings or
additional spending of 25 cents to
$2 per gallon.
- Take advantage of loyalty programs. Many gas stations offer
bonus savings or introductory offers that can save you up to
25 cents per gallon.
- Consider how you pay. Pay with GasBuddy offers Deal
Alerts with savings up to 25 cents
per gallon. If you prefer cash, more stations are offering cash
discounts this summer.
"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," said Patrick De Haan,
head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "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."
To stay up to date on gas prices and save money on summer road
trips, download the GasBuddy app or visit gasbuddy.com.
Methodology: GasBuddy's 2024 Summer Travel Survey was issued
from May 3 to May 6, 2024, to a
random group of GasBuddy users.
About GasBuddy
GasBuddy is the leading fuel savings platform providing North
American drivers with the most ways to save money on gas. GasBuddy
has delivered more than $3.5 billion
in cumulative savings to its users through providing real-time gas
price information at 150,000+ stations, offering cash back rewards
on purchases with brand partners, and through the Pay with
GasBuddy™ payments card that offers cents-off per gallon at
virtually all gas stations across the US. As one of the most highly
rated apps in the history of the App Store, GasBuddy has been
downloaded over 100 million times. Acquired by PDI
Technologies in 2021, GasBuddy's publishing and software
businesses enable the world's leading fuel, convenience, QSR and
CPG companies to shorten the distance between the fueling public
and their brands. For more information, visit www.gasbuddy.com.
Media Contact
Patrick De Haan
Head of Petroleum Analysis
773-644-1427
pdehaan@gasbuddy.com
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SOURCE GasBuddy