With the end of the school year comes the beginning of the summer travel season. However, according to Scott Clement and company, writing for The Washington Post, roughly 61% of Americans say that gas prices are a major consideration for them when making this year’s summer plans.

 

According to AAA, American Automobile Association, as of May 23, 2022, the national average for a gallon of gas had risen to $4.59, with the prices in all 50 states being above $4.00.More specifically, AAA states that the national average as of June 17, 2022 is currently $5.00 for a gallon of regular gas.

 

Over the past two years, travel rates have been low due to the pandemic. With restrictions being lifted, it was expected that the summer of 2022 would be a major travel year. 

 

Yet, with inflation on the rise and prices constantly increasing at the pump, travelers have had to make adjustments to their summer plans. Two-thirds of Americans have yet to confirm their plans and for many of those who have, they’re prepared to spend more money on vacation this year than in the past, Daniella Genovese 1 from Fox Business reports. 

 

Based on a survey of more than 1,000 people, conducted by the AAA, about 52% of those surveyed plan to take a vacation this summer, although 58% of them would consider changing their plans to account for the high prices, Bailey Schulz of USA Today informs. 

 

Despite these growing concerns, many Americans have been resilient in their intentions to travel, having felt “pent-up” for the last two years on account of the pandemic, she continues. Now, given the opportunity to finally travel with less concern for Covid-19, the rising gas prices have not trumped everyone’s plans. 

 

For those who can afford it, 2022 will still be a big travel year, just with more adjustments being made to plans. According to Clement, acting as a convenient and cost-efficient vacation option, beaches have proven to be the biggest vacation spot this year, with 64% of travelers planning on going to the beach rather than on a luxury cruise or to an expensive theme park.

 

Ultimately, rising gas prices have become the biggest concern for summer travelers this year, with many preparing themselves to spend big, all for the sake of getting out of the house for the summer.  



 

Works Cited

 

American Automobile Association. "National Average Gas Prices." AAA Gas Prices, 10 June 2022, gasprices.aaa.com. Accessed 10 June 2022.

---. "Nowhere to Go but Up?" AAA Gas Prices, 23 May 2022, gasprices.aaa.com/nowhere-to-go-but-up%EF%BF%BC/. Accessed 10 June 2022.

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Clement, Scott, et al. "Gas Prices a Much Bigger Factor than Covid for Summer Travel, Poll Finds." The Washington Post, 25 May 2022, www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2022/05/25/summer-travel-poll-gas-prices/. Accessed 10 June 2022.

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Genovese, Daniella. "Rising Gas Prices Affecting Over Half of Consumers' Summer Plans." Fox Business, 19 May 2022, www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/gas-prices-summer-2022-driving-habits. Accessed 10 June 2022.

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Schulz, Bailey. "Gas Prices Throw a Wrench into Vacation Plans: Families Prepare for 'Costly' 2022 Travel." USA Today, 25 Mar. 2022, www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2022/03/25/gas-prices-travel-roadtrip-options/7160278001/. Accessed 10 June 2022.