Low gas prices lead to more road trips

(AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - More Americans will hit the road this summer, according to GasBuddy.

The consumer site says more than 75% of Americans who participated in the study plan to travel this summer, which is a 2.2% increase over 2015.

Recommended Videos



GasBuddy also says 79% of those who responded plan to travel by car.

"Motorists will be filling up their tanks with the cheapest summer gasoline since 2005 and we are finding that more people than ever will be taking advantage by hitting the road," said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. "As we kick off driving season, gas prices will be nearly a dollar per gallon lower than the ten year Memorial Day average of $3.15 per gallon. The incredible part is nationally, we'll be saving $2.6 billion over the long weekend versus the highest-priced Memorial Day weekend in 2011 at $3.78 per gallon."

Other highlights from the study include:

  • People are traveling more for leisure rather than obligation. 53% are traveling to relax and take in local culture versus 27% seeing family/friends or going to an event. Last year, 51% chose vacations for relaxation or culture and 29% for visits or events.
  • Over 56% will journey on average at least 400 miles round trip.
  • 36% plan to take at least two road trips.
  • People are feeling less pressure to stay longer; there was a 4% increase in day trips over 2015.