Gas prices not expected to put brakes on Memorial Day travel

COEUR d'ALENE — As more than 39 million Americans prepare to travel this Memorial Day weekend, they can expect busy roads and crowded airports.

According to AAA, nearly 224,000 Idahoans will make a holiday getaway, or about 22,000 more than a year ago.

The travel boom comes as gas prices spike across the country.

“Whether you’re taking a road trip or catching a flight, gasoline, diesel and jet fuel all spring from the same source – crude oil,” said AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “Expensive fill-ups, cruises, and airline tickets are hitting everyone hard, but we’re just getting to the unofficial start of summer travel, and most people aren’t ready to give up on their vacation plans just yet.”

Idaho’s average price for regular is $4.62 per gallon, which is 10 cents more than a week ago and 18 cents more than a month ago.

Kootenai County prices ranged from the $4.60s for a gallon of regular unleaded to more than $4.80.

Meanwhile, the national average sits at $4.60 per gallon, which is 12 cents more than a week ago and a whopping 48 cents more than a month ago.

The Gem State ranks 19th in the country for most expensive fuel.

Here’s a seven-year retrospective of U.S. and Idaho gas prices on Memorial Day:

YEAR U.S. IDAHO

2021 $3.04 $3.24

2020 $1.96 $2.14

2019 $2.83 $3.20

2018 $2.97 $3.18

2017 $2.37 $2.58

2016 $2.32 $2.46

2015 $2.74 $2.87

According to new projections by AAA, more than 39 million Americans, which is about 12% of the U.S. population, will take a trip over the holiday weekend – an 8% increase from a year ago.

This year’s Memorial Day travel volume is three million more people than last year, and just 3.5 million below pre-pandemic levels.

“Every mode of travel continues to experience a strong rebound, despite periods of shaky consumer confidence and inflation that’s near a 40-year high,” Conde said. “People are bound and determined to make up for lost time, even if it’s more expensive to fill-up a gas tank, book a hotel room or catch a flight.”

The busiest time on the road will be Thursday afternoon, when travelers who are getting an early jump will mingle with evening commuters. Monday will be the busiest return day, but traffic will be more spread out, which may help to reduce congestion.

Here’s a look at pump prices around the Gem State:

Boise, $4.65; Franklin, $4.59; Idaho Falls, $4.44 and

Lewiston, $4.65.