AAA: Gas Prices Remain Low as Families Head to the Beach to Close Out Summer Travel Season

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Pump and Circumstance: Gas Prices Remain Low as
Families Head to the Beach to Close Out Summer Travel Season

Families driving to popular East Coast beaches for the last vacation of the summer

As summer is coming to a close, many travelers are ready to squeeze in that last minute vacation and head to the beach one last time before the cooler temperatures settle in. According to AAA East Central, warm destinations offering fun-filled activities for families will experience the largest influx of travelers this Labor Day weekend.

“Labor Day presents a last-minute opportunity to enjoy some time with friends and family before the settling into the day-to-day school and work responsibilities that come with the changing season,�?? according to Jim Lehman, President, AAA East Central.  “Auto travel has proven to be the most popular mode of travel, with the majority of Americans driving to Virginia Beach, Myrtle Beach and the Outer Banks this summer,�?? he adds.

The summer vacation season began with 34 million Americans packing the nation’s highways for Memorial Day, kicking off the summer. AAA also tracked the amount of drivers on the road this Fourth of July holiday season, finding that 36 million people- the highest on record, will drive to their destinations.  Prompted by the lowest gas prices since 2005 during the majority of the summer months, play a huge role in why car travel has grown for the sixth time in the last seven years.

U.S. drivers have saved about $20 billion on gasoline so far this year compared to the same period in 2015, which has made travel more affordable than in recent years.

Drivers nationwide continue to benefit from the relatively low price of crude oil with today’s national average of $2.22; down 26 cents from last year’s price of $2.48. Barring any major supply disruptions, drivers will pay the lowest national average for the holiday weekend in nearly 10 years. AAA compared gas prices in the East Central territory to prices one year ago today.

· PA: $2.34; last year $2.50
· OH: $2.20; last year $2.37
· NY: $2.33; last year $2.63
· WV: $2.20; last year $2.47
· KY: $2.16; last year $2.36

AAA tracked several top driving destinations for members this summer:

· Outer Banks, NC
· Myrtle Beach, SC
· Virginia Beach, VA
· Hilton Head, SC
· Ocean City, MD

AAA has the following tips for travelers looking to save even more money on their plans this Labor Day weekend:

Transportation:

· Pack light. Not only will you save on luggage fees if flying, you’ll also save on fuel if you’re driving. A loaded car reduces your car's fuel efficiency.
· Travel at off-peak hours or on less busy days to avoid wasting gas in traffic. The busiest travel days this holiday should be Friday, September 4 and Monday, September 7.
· If driving, rent a car locally that gets better gas mileage than your own vehicle. AAA members who book their car rental through Hertz save BIG!
· Many hotels offer guests free or discounted transportation to and from nearby airports and attractions. You’ll save on fuel, car rental and parking.

Hotels:

· Book your hotel reservations through AAA.com or the AAA Mobile App. AAA members often qualify for exclusive discounts and the lowest prices at a wide selection of hotels.
· If planning a beach vacation, stay a few blocks away from the beach. You’ll likely pay lower nightly rates, but will still be near the sea and sand.

Attractions/Activities:

· Before you leave for your trip, purchase your attraction tickets at a discounted rate through AAA.com (http://www.AAA.com) . There are a variety of theme parks, zoos, museums, shows, sporting events and other activities to choose from.
· Many places offer multi-day or multi-attraction tickets. Often these “bundled�?? admissions are significantly cheaper than buying separate tickets for each day or each park. 
· Take advantage of “end of the day�?? specials at amusement parks. You’ll save money and avoid the midday crowds.

Food:

· Consider on-the-go food instead of sit down dining - it saves time and money.
· Pack food and picnic at road areas to save on food costs.
· Select hotels that include breakfast in the rate.
· Frequent restaurants where kids eat free.
· Many hotels offer suite-style rooms with kitchenettes. Making even just one meal a day in your room will save you money.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 82 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia servicing more than 2.7 million members.

-AAA-

For More Information Contact Chelsea Pompeani, Manager of Public and Community Relations
at Pompeani.Chelsea@aaaec.com

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