Stable gas prices to boost Fourth travel

Stable gas prices will put Oklahomans on the road for the long Fourth of July weekend, according to AAA Oklahoma.

Gas prices are 48 cents lower than a year ago at this time, AAA Oklahoma spokesman Chuck Mai said.

“So, it’s no surprise many of us are anxious to take advantage of these lower pump prices and head out of town when perhaps last year we didn’t,” Mai said.

The price of regular unleaded gasoline has been stable for the past five weeks, Mai said. It has remained within the $2.07 to $2.16 price range during that time period.

AAA reported the price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Bartlesville averaged $1.94 on Monday. That’s down 2 cents from the previous week and $2.48 a year ago. AAA Oklahoma monitors gas prices in 15 cities in Oklahoma. Bartlesville has the lowest gas prices in those cities.

Nationally, gas prices also are steady with the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded at $2.31, which is down 3 cents per gallon from a month ago. Prices have declined by 47 cents per gallon from the same date last year.

AAA predicts nearly 43 million Americans will travel on the Fourth of July weekend. If so, it will be the highest Independence Day travel weekend on record, and 5 million Americans will travel this weekend than they did for Memorial Day weekend.

A record 558,400 Oklahomans are expected to travel over the Fourth, which is 1 percent more than the previous year, Mai said, adding 86 percent will drive, 12 percent will fly and the rest will travel by ship, train, bus or multi-modal.

“We are well on our way for 2016 to be a record-breaking year for summertime travel,” Mai said. “This is welcome news for all of those in the travel industry, from hotels and attractions to restaurants and local shops.”