For residents of Texas’ capital city, they’ll be feeling that pinch as they hit the road this holiday weekend: A new analysis from online resource Auto Insurance shared this week unveiled Austin gas prices have climbed a whopping 43.4% since last Memorial Day, marking one of the largest year-over-year price hikes across the U.S.
As of Wednesday, May 20, officials noted the average cost of regular gas in Austin rang up to $4.04 per gallon, a marked uptick from last Memorial Day’s average of $2.81 per gallon. That figure lands Austin at No. 3 of the highest price climbs among major metro areas in the Lone Star State.
Comparatively, El Paso currently leads the pack at $4.36 per regular gallon, with San Antonio taking the second slot at $4.07 per gallon. Following behind Austin are Fort Worth ($4.01), Arlington ($4.01), Houston ($3.98) and Dallas ($3.87).
And Texans won’t be the only ones grimacing as they hand over their card at the pump. The American Automobile Association (AAA) is anticipating record travel numbers this Memorial Day weekend, according to a report published last week. An estimated 45 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more away from their home during the extended holiday weekend, when reviewing travel data from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25.
Broken down, that forecast amounts to an estimated 39.1 million travelers by car, 3.66 million venturing by plane and 2.22 million using other forms of transportation.
Looking to hit the road this weekend? AAA’s forecast noted the best times to travel are before 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, and most times on Sunday, May 24. The worst pinch points? Saturday from 12-5 p.m., as well as Monday from 12-5 p.m., are anticipated to be the most headache-inducing travel hours.