Another week, another new record for the national average gas price that is just under $4.60. Travelers were paying $3.03 a year ago. It is even worse in some areas. The drivers in 22 states are seeing prices above the national average.
It's going to be the highest Memorial Day in terms of gas prices that we've seen in the past, blowing out the previous record, which was $3.66 a gallon in 2014, said Head of Petroleum Analysis for Gasbuddy Patrick De Haan.
One of the busiest travel days of the year is a week away, during some of the highest gas prices the country has seen. Americans are eager to save money in any way they can. De Haan says that 58% of Americans still plan to travel this summer, despite the price at the pump.
The numbers are surprising given the fact that gas prices are at record highs. It's a testament to the strength of the economy, the fact that almost everything has been reopened and consumers still want to get out, said De Haan, to see more Americans hitting the road this summer compared to last year.
A couple of tips can save drivers hundreds of dollars over the next few months because of the fact that getting a bargain on anything is rare these days.
Consumer saving expert Andrea Woroch says shopping at warehouse club stores and grocery stores that have fuel reward programs can save a lot of money. Woroch says drivers can save money by paying in cash and being cautious about credit cards that give rewards for buying gas.
When you pull up to a gas station, you're going to see that advertised per gallon price, and that is for cash paying customers, so don't be fooled by the fact that you're going to get that price. Woroch also says gas prices fluctuate daily, so gas station drivers may be a little bit higher than usual depending on the week. The internet is the best way to find the lowest price per gallon. When you think about saving 15 to 30 gallon by paying with cash, and then another 15 to 30 cents by saving, you're saving 15 to 30 cents by going to the cheaper gas station and earning cash back to pay for gas. We're talking about hundreds of dollars over the course of a few months. Woroch said something.
De Haan says that doing things like going 10 -- 15 miles per hour slower to improve fuel economy can save drivers a lot of money. It is best to do a quick online search for the lowest prices in the area and also watch the state lines during long road trips because the prices can vary based on the state's taxes.