Gas Prices

Memorial Day Travel Numbers Strong Despite Rising Gas Prices

AAA Northeast’s May 21 survey of prices in Rhode Island finds self-serve, regular unleaded averaging $2.95 per gallon. Rhode Island’s price is three cents above the national average of $2.92. A year ago at this time, the average price in Rhode Island was 64 cents lower at $2.31 per gallon.

The range in prices in the latest AAA survey for unleaded regular is 26 cents, from a low of $2.83 to a high of $3.09. AAA advises motorists to shop around for the best prices in their area, and to make sure they and their passengers buckle up — every time.

Today’s local gas prices and their ranges are as follows:

Self Serve                                           Grade                        

$2.95 ($2.83-$3.09)                            Regular Unleaded                  

$3.25 ($3.15-$3.39)                            Midgrade Unleaded               

$3.45 ($3.35-$3.53)                            Premium Unleaded                

$3.29 ($3.19-$3.39)                            Diesel

            As Memorial Day approaches, and despite rising gas prices, nearly 42 million Americans will be traveling U.S. roadways this holiday weekend, a 5 percent increase over last year and the most since 2005.

            By the Numbers: 2018 Memorial Day Holiday Travel Forecast

  • Close to 1.9 million New England residents are expected to travel, 1.7 million of them by car.
  • The vast majority of travelers – 36.6 million – will drive to their destinations, 4.7 percent more than last year.
  • 3.1 million will travel by air, a 6.8 percent increase and the fifth year of consecutive air travel volume increases.

For Americans traveling by automobile, INRIX, a global transportation analytics company working with AAA, predicts drivers will experience the greatest amount of congestion on Thursday and Friday, May 24-25, in the late afternoon as commuters leave work early and mix with travelers.