Some 'Relief' Finally Coming at the Pump

With Memorial Day weekend approaching, motorists may finally start to feel some relief at the pump.

According to the latest AAA survey, gas prices continued to retreat last week, pulling back from the projected $4 season-high price. The national average price of regular-grade gasoline was $3.85 a gallon on Sunday, down 11 cents from last week, $1.04 more than a year ago.

In Maryland, the average price for regular-grade gasoline on Sunday was $3.90 a gallon, down from $4.01 the week before, yet still $1.09 more than in 2010. Prices at the pump remain 22 cents below the all-time record of $4.11 set in summer 2008.

“Motorists continue to enjoy victory, albeit slow in coming, at the pump as gas prices continue to retreat just in time for the long-anticipated Memorial Day holiday weekend,” said Ragina C. Averella, AAA-Mid-Atlantic spokesman, in a statement.  “Have we seen the gas price peak for summer 2011? Analysts say we have, which is welcome news for motorists.”

AAA projects 34.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, a slight increase of 0.2 percent—or 100,000 travelers— from the 34.8 million people who traveled one year ago. 

Approximately 30.9 million people plan to drive to their destination, a small decline from the 31 million who drove last year. In spite of gasoline prices more than a dollar per gallon higher than a year ago, most travelers (88 percent) still plan on driving to their destination.

A survey of intended travelers found 60 percent of respondents said rising gasoline prices would not impact their travel plans. Of the remaining four out of 10 travelers who said rising gas prices would impact their travel plans, most will either economize in other areas and/or take a shorter trip and/or travel by an alternate mode of transportation.

Here is a list of the cheapest gas prices in the Essex-Middle River area, according to MarylandGasPrices.com.