SALT LAKE CITY — Another record number of Americans are expected to travel for Memorial Day weekend, but drivers are also dealing with record high gas prices.
Traveler perspectives on rising costs
So how do people plan to juggle them both? KSL spoke to drivers on Thursday to see how gas prices are changing holiday travel plans. They told KSL it's a real struggle.
Comparing current and previous gas prices
According to AAA, between Thursday and Friday afternoon roughly 40 million Americans plan to hit the road for the holiday, traveling at least 50 miles or more. At the date of publication, the national average for a gallon of regular gas was $4.55 a gallon. The Utah average was $4.69, a jump of almost a dollar and a half from Memorial Day weekend in 2025. At that time, the average for a gallon of regular was just $3.18 a gallon.
Local drivers adjusting holiday plans
The price jump is changing how some Utah drivers are approaching the holiday.
“We're going to stay home this year,” said Lureleen Baroz.
“We're going to stay local and do the local thing, plus gas is getting to be a little bit on the expensive side,” said Mike Flinn.
“How much are gas prices a factor in that?” asked KSL reporter Brian Carlson.
“100%,” said Linda Hagmann.
Strategies for managing travel expenses
When gas prices are high, what goes?
“If you're still spending money to drive, where do you recoup some of that cost?” Carlson asked another driver.
“Cut back on other things. Netflix has got to go. That kind of stuff. That's the only way I can do it,” said Taunie Braito who is traveling for Memorial Day.
That lines up with what AAA predicts people are doing for the holiday. Although they didn't gather specific data on this, a representative told KSL there's a significant segment of people committed to traveling, no matter the circumstances, and will find other ways to save money like eating out less or taking less expensive trips.
Historical context of fuel costs
As high as gas prices are right now, they're still $.50 cheaper than the all-time record high in June 2022 when the national average was $5.02 a gallon.
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