Record gas prices hit drivers over Labor Day weekend with national average at $4.14 per gallon

PORT WENTWORTH, Ga. (WTOC) - Labor Day travelers paid record-high gas prices, with the national average reaching $4.14 per gallon, up seven cents from last week.

According to AAA, the average gas price in Georgia is $3.89, so filling up a standard 15-gallon tank of regular unleaded costs nearly $60.

The most expensive metro markets in Georgia are:

• Savannah ($3.96)
• Hinesville-Fort Stewart ($3.93)
• Macon ($3.91)

The least expensive metro markets in Georgia are:

• Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($3.83)
• Rome ($3.82)
• Albany ($3.81)

Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group, said, “Despite the added expense, many Georgians still chose to hit the road and make the most of the long holiday weekend.”

Travelers feel the pinch

Amy Blunt, from North Carolina, stopped by the Georgia Welcome Center in Port Wentworth before heading down to Florida. She said she found herself filling up the tank quite a bit this Labor Day weekend, seeing a four-to-five cent difference at stations throughout the Southeast states.

“I’d like for our gas prices to go back down. I’m definitely feeling it,” she said.

Crude oil prices are now at more than $90 per barrel, according to AAA. Drivers across the country are paying on average 32 cents more than the previous Labor Day record of $3.82 per gallon, set in 2012.

“We’re actually going to stop soon to get gas and just pay whatever it costs to pay,” said Chip Carwell, a St. Johns, Florida resident.

“I’d rather pay that than walk,” said Mike Fleming, Athens, Ga. resident.

GasBuddy’s cheap fuel tracker shows the lowest price in the area is $3.65 at the Costco and Sam’s Club in Pooler and a Parkers in Rincon, however, it does change consistently, so check twice before heading out.

Labor Day travel overall

According to Blunt, the roads weren’t too packed on her ride across the southeast.

“I was expecting more traffic, but maybe we picked a really good time to move about.”

Mike and Debbie Fleming were celebrating their 56th anniversary on Hilton Head Island for the weekend.

“Hilton Head was bumper-to-bumper for a little bit, but as you get into it and all, it straightens out, but most of all, it’s been easy,” Debbie Fleming said.

Carwell disagreed slightly about the state of the roads. He was visiting Darlington, South Carolina, for a NASCAR race.

“It’s pretty busy today on the road,” he said.

Saving money on the road

According to AAA, there are a few ways to save money while traveling for this weekend and the many more that follow.

They say:

• Shop around for gas prices.
• • Drivers can check area gas prices on the Fuel Price Finder.
• Consider paying in cash instead of using a credit card.
• • Some retailers charge extra per gallon for customers who use a credit card.
• Enroll in fuel savings programs
• Maintain your vehicle to ensure the best fuel economy.
• Combine errands to minimize driving time.
• Slow down.
• • Fuel economy diminishes significantly at highway speeds above 50 mph.
  • Drive conservatively and avoid aggressive driving.
  • Aggressive acceleration and speeding can reduce fuel economy.