Record Memorial Day Travel Expected in Southern California Despite Gas Above $5

Higher prices at the pump are not expected to keep Southern Californians at home this Memorial Day weekend. A forecast from the Automobile Club of Southern California projects that at least 2.9 million regional travelers will take to the road.

Drivers make up a large share of the 3.5 million people in the Southland expected to travel between Thursday and Monday, which would be a record. The number traveling by car is up 4.5% from last year. Across the country, 43.8 million Americans are expected to travel, a 4.1% increase over 2023.

Los Angeles International Airport officials also anticipate growth. They expect daily passenger counts to rise through the end of the month, with more than a million travelers passing through between Thursday and Monday.

Doug Shupe, a regional spokesperson for AAA, said Memorial Day travel patterns typically signal what the summer will look like, so more records could follow. He said the strong numbers suggest people want a break and a chance to connect, even with goods and services costing more. "What we typically see in these travel forecasts is people prioritize travel in their budgets," Shupe said.

Fuel is a significant part of that budget. California's average gas price stands at $5.17, nearly $2 above the national average of $3.61. In the Los Angeles-Long Beach area, a gallon of regular self-serve costs $5.13, compared with $4.86 at the same point last year. Prices have eased since last week, when the local figure was $5.22.

Shupe cautioned that the relief may not last. He pointed to crude oil as a wild card, noting that unlike last year, there are two wars, in the Middle East and Ukraine, that could unsettle the oil market. According to recent projections from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, spare production has so far kept the potential volatility in check, since that reserve supply can reach the market if short-term disruptions occur.

The EIA says gas prices historically climb gradually through spring and peak in late summer, when people drive more. California prices are also affected by the switch to a warm-weather fuel blend, a transition that has already happened.

Experts suggest several ways to stretch a tank of gas. The Environmental Protection Agency says fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve mileage by as much as 40%, and that underinflated tires can cost drivers two or three miles per gallon. Sticking to the speed limit, packing light and keeping luggage in the trunk rather than on a rooftop rack can also reduce fuel use.

Travelers can also shop around before they fill up. The Auto Club app for AAA members lists nearby stations with the lowest prices, while Gasbuddy shows real-time pump prices. The Gas Guru app searches by price, fuel grade and distance, and Mapquest, Google Maps and Waze can display gas prices along a planned route.