TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – AAA is reminding drivers to prepare for more traffic than normal this holiday weekend.<\/p>\n
AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins says they\u2019re expecting a record number of travelers out on the road with an expected 39 million people, 40,000 more compared to last year. <\/p>\n
Jenkins says despite the steady rise in gas prices, there will still be an increase in traffic, mainly due to short-distance travel, but he says they\u2019ve seen some level of change with increased costs. <\/p>\n
The busiest days will be Friday and Monday as people return home. He says the best time to leave is early in the morning or later at night.<\/p>\n
More news out of the Big Bend:<\/p>\n
According to AAA data released on Thursday, Memorial Day weekend gas prices are the highest they\u2019ve been in four years. <\/p>\n
The national average for a gallon of regular is at $4.56, up 3 cents over last week and $1.38 higher than this time last year. Current prices are close to what drivers were paying 4 years ago, when the national average on Memorial Day was $4.61. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are seeing more travelers than last year, but that annual growth is not quite as strong as we\u2019ve seen in recent years, and that\u2019s largely due to inflationary pressures and higher gas prices,\u201d Jenkins said. <\/p>\n
Many travelers shared that they plan to hit the road for the holiday weekend. <\/p>\n
\u201cI am traveling to see my son, daughter-in-law, and two grandsons,\u201d one traveler said. <\/p>\n
Some are choosing not to hit the road with recent price hikes, as they continuously fill up many are watching their wallets drain out. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re staying in town there doesn\u2019t seem to be a point in going very far from the house when everything is too expensive and you have to debate either have a good time or putting food on the table next week,\u201d Christian Ackman said. <\/p>\n
And others sharing the pinch of rising gas prices. <\/p>\n
\u201cAlmost $200 sometimes to fill my truck it depends … I never paid that kind of money in my entire life,\u201d Ronnie Smith said. <\/p>\n
Travelers said their plans haven\u2019t changed and they are excited to spend time with their loved ones. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust being with them and they are quite the little characters and then I\u2019m gonna stay for a week,\u201d Susan G. said.<\/p>\n
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