Traffic is not the only thing increasing as motorists head out of Southern California this holiday weekend. Analysts say prices at the gas pump have been climbing for over a week.
With driving considered the most popular form of travel, the eight consecutive days of price increases will impact many vacationers this Labor Day.
As of Thursday, which is considered the beginning of the five-day holiday weekend rush, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Los Angeles County was $4.61, according to AAA.
Although prices have been on the rise, L.A. motorists can breathe a sigh of relief that they are still more than $2 a gallon less than the record price of $6.49 back in 2022. Analysts also predict a drop in gas prices as we get closer to the fall and winter months.
As for when to head out of town, Travel & Leisure suggests sticking to the following plan this Labor Day weekend:
- Thursday: Leave before 1 p.m.
- Friday: Leave before 12 p.m.
- Saturday: Leave between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.
- Sunday: Leave before 11 a.m.
- Monday: Leave before 12 p.m.
“Labor Day caps off summer travel and provides one final holiday weekend before the fall routine begins,” AAA Travel’s Vice President Stacey Barber said in the magazine’s report. “While some people are going on dream cruises or European vacations, many travelers are staying closer to home and taking road trips to nearby beaches or national parks.”