AAA expects busy roads in Arizona for Memorial Day weekend despite rising gas prices

PHOENIX — Despite the average price of a gallon of gasoline in Phoenix reaching $5 last week, AAA expects more travelers for this Memorial Day weekend compared to last year.

“We anticipate more than 3 million people traveling this year than they did last year, which is about an 8.3 percent increase over 2021,” Aldo Vasquez, spokesman for AAA Arizona, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News, adding that “despite these high gas prices, people are still making these plans to drive to their destinations.”

Travelers will likely adjust their holiday weekend spending budget and stay closer to home because of the high gas prices, Vasquez said.

“People are still going to be spending their money, they’re probably just going to be a little more conscious about how they do it,” Vasquez said.

“They probably won’t indulge too much on food or, you know, souvenirs and things like that, but they’re still going to be out there, going to take part in activities, and getting involved in other, you know, parts of their vacations.”

As inflation continues to affect the economy, Vasquez said recent trends are pushing the cost for gasoline upward.

“We’re going to continue to see these prices increase as long as the price of crude oils continues to go up,” Vasquez said.

“Right now it’s about $112 per barrel, and you know, here in Arizona, for example, we’re seeing prices at about, what is it, about $4.92 and in Maricopa County with the highest prices closing in at $5.22 right now.”

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