Summer is shaping up to be a busy travel season across the country.
GasBuddy, the leading fuel savings platform providing North American drivers with the most ways to save money on gas, released its 2024 Summer Travel Survey results, revealing a near-record number of Americans planning to road trip this summer as gas prices continue to decline. GasBuddy’s study estimates the national average will hold in the mid-$3 per gallon range for much of the summer, with potentially tens of thousands of stations falling below $3 per gallon throughout the next several months. GasBuddy forecasts that gas prices will average $3.58 per gallon nationally between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
More Americans Plan to Hit the Road
According to GasBuddy’s survey, 76 percent of Americans plan to take a road trip between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, up 18 percent from 2023. The average traveler has two road trips planned, with many venturing far – 49 percent expect to drive five or more hours to reach their destination.
Major Travel Holidays
Among major travel holidays, Memorial Day is traditionally the most popular with 60 percent planning a road trip, followed by Independence Day at 45 percent and Labor Day at 34 percent. GasBuddy expects this July 4 to be the lowest priced holiday at the pump, with Labor Day a bit uncertain due to hurricane season.
Where To Stop
While road trips may reign supreme, expenses are a major factor shaping summer travel this year. Sixty-three percent of survey respondents cited cost as their top consideration when planning trips. Forty-six percent said high gas costs this year have impacted their itineraries. And though price reigns in importance, few Americans are looking at an electric vehicle to alleviate fuel costs: just some 15 percent of respondents are thinking about purchasing an EV.
Spend Less At The Pump
While prices at the pump won’t reach record-highs this year, drivers can leverage tools to save substantially on summer road trip gas.
• Use the GasBuddy app. Before getting low on gas, plan your next fill up and find the lowest priced station on your route. Savings can range from 10 to 50 cents per gallon over just a few blocks.
• Mind the line. State lines can bring significant changes in gasoline taxes, and motorists should be vigilant during their road trip as picking the right side of the line can result in savings or additional spending of 25 cents to $2 per gallon.
• Take advantage of loyalty programs. Many gas stations offer bonus savings or introductory offers that can save you up to 25 cents per gallon.
• Consider how you pay. Pay with GasBuddy offers Deal Alerts with savings up to 25 cents per gallon. If you prefer cash, more stations are offering cash discounts this summer.
“While Americans gripe about the cost of gasoline, it doesn’t seem that too many are going to be deterred from hitting the road. Great news for those who are planning to travel: Motorists are likely to see more stations lowering prices to $2.99 per gallon or less as the summer wears on, and refiners ramp up output after finishing maintenance,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Hurricane season is a major wildcard for those hitting the road this summer, but absent a major storm in the Gulf, gas prices should not be much of a hindrance for those taking a road trip.”
To stay up to date on gas prices and save money on summer road trips, download the GasBuddy app or visit gasbuddy.com.