Gas prices are taking a bite out of Labor Day travel this year, with drivers paying significantly more at the pump than they were a year ago.
The national average is now about $4.12 a gallon, according to GasBuddy. In Houston, the average is lower, at about $3.68 a gallon.
But for local drivers, the increase from last Labor Day is hard to miss.
A year ago, Houston drivers were paying about $2.76 a gallon on average.
That means prices are up roughly 92 cents a gallon compared with last Labor Day.
For someone filling a 15-gallon tank, that’s about $14 more than it would have cost a year ago.
GasBuddy says this year’s holiday weekend is the most expensive Labor Day for gas prices.
“That is the most expensive Labor Day that we’re going to see is this year.”
With people across the Houston area hitting the road for the holiday, those extra dollars can add up quickly.
Ruth Silva, who lives in Houston, says she’s feeling the higher prices.
“Everywhere I go it’s just so expensive. I’m paying almost $4.”
For drivers watching their budgets, higher gas prices mean finding ways to cut costs — whether that’s shopping around for the cheapest station or driving less.
Silva says she tries to limit how much she drives and looks for lower-priced gas.
“I try to keep my truck parked and drive it as least as possible. Or, I try to find the cheapest areas.”
While Houston’s average remains below the national price, local drivers are still paying considerably more than they were one year ago.
The Houston average is currently about 44 cents below the national average, but both prices are significantly higher than they were last Labor Day.
For Texans planning a holiday road trip, that could mean a noticeably bigger fuel bill before the journey even begins.
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