ORLANDO, Fla. — Memorial Day weekend is here, and many travelers are hitting the road.
While gas prices remain high, many families say road trips are still the cheaper option.
Tanisha Graham traveled to Florida from Mobile, Alabama, for Memorial Day weekend. With gas prices high, she said she made sure to budget ahead of time and carefully plan her stops.
“We need gas to fill our vehicles to go to and from work and to do our everyday life,” Graham said.
According to AAA, the national average for gas is currently $4.52 a gallon. In Florida, the average is slightly lower at $4.41 a gallon.
“We’re expecting a record number of people to be traveling this weekend. 39 million people will be hitting the road and of course, Florida is a very popular destination,” said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins.
Jenkins said that even though people are still traveling, many may change how they plan their trips because of the high cost of gas. Some travelers may cut back on extra stops or choose destinations closer to home.
“Some folks are traveling closer to home, traveling fewer days and just looking for ways to economize. Budgeting more for gas, spending less on hotels, shopping and dining out,” Jenkins said.
Experts say safety should remain a top priority this holiday weekend. Drivers are encouraged to slow down, watch their surroundings, stay alert and plan ahead before getting on the road.
“We’re going to try to make the most of it and enjoy life and enjoy one another. That’s all we can do,” Graham said.
AAA is also offering its Tow to Go service during the holiday weekend. AAA will pick up drivers and their vehicles and take them to a safe location within a 10-mile radius to prevent drinking and driving. The Tow to Go number is (855) 2-TOW-2-GO. More information is available here.