Record July 4 travel could increase gas prices 'in the weeks to come,' AAA Missouri says
A record number of Americans are traveling by car on Independence Day weekend, despite the most expensive gas prices ever seen over the holiday, AAA says.
The average gas price in Missouri is $4.57 for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel, 7 cents less than a week ago but $1.76 more per gallon compared to this day last year. On Thursday, average prices in Columbia were $4.78 per gallon, down 6 cents from a week ago but up $1.88 from a year ago.
Prices in several other metropolitan areas in the state also were surveyed. Jefferson City drivers are paying the most on average at $4.80 per gallon, while St. Louis drivers are paying $4.77 per gallon. Joplin drivers are paying the least at $4.34 per gallon.
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The prices mirror a national trend, with U.S. average prices at $4.86, 8 cents less compared to this day last week but up $1.74 from a year ago.
AAA expects 42 million Americans to travel by car this weekend, the most on record for that mode of travel during the holiday. While gas prices have been dropping over the last two weeks, it is possible they could reverse course and begin climbing again in July, according to a AAA news release.
AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria said the increase in volume, due largely to pent-up demand for travel, will put more pressure on demand for fuel.
“Record holiday gas prices won’t stop many Americans from traveling by car this Independence Day weekend,” Chabarria said. “AAA forecasts that 42 million Americans will travel by automobile to their holiday destination. That will be the most on record to drive for July 4 and will put more pressure on fuel demand that could result in higher gas prices in the weeks to come.”
Missouri drivers are currently paying the 11th-lowest prices in the nation, according to the release. The cheapest state average for gas was in Georgia, $4.36 per gallon, followed by South Carolina, $4.37 per gallon, and Mississippi a penny per gallon higher.
The highest average prices are currently in California, $6.29 on average for a gallon of regular unleaded.
AAA offers a number of tips for improving mileage. Those include driving the speed limit, avoiding rapid acceleration, using cruise control when safe and minimizing use of air conditioning.
Additional tips and current gas prices are available at AAA.com.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: AAA: Record July 4 travel could up gas prices 'in the weeks to come'
