The average price per gallon for regular fuel in Mississippi has gone up four cents from Tuesday, reaching a new record high of $4.16 per gallon.
AAA spokesman Don Redman told SuperTalk Mississippi this morning that it’s a trend he expects to continue.
“Just based on the idea that all fuel is sold in the futures market, so these investors are looking down the road, 6 weeks…6 months down the road and making their investments based on that,” Redman said. “Based on what they’re forecasting, I think this is going to be with us at least throughout the summer. This is usually when demand is at its highest.”
Redman added that it’s the drive-in market that has the biggest impact on tourism in our state.
“Usually, especially if they have a big vacation planned that’s been in the plans for months, higher gas prices don’t usually change that behavior,” Redman said. “But if they’re just going to make some impromptu trips, then usually we’ll see that’s where some of those travel changes are.”
Vacationers also have other expenses to consider as “car rentals are up 170%, airfare is up 6%, hotels are up 23% so it’s going to cost the family more.”
But Redman did share some positive news regarding tourism.
“We’ve just released our Memorial Day forecast. We’re actually looking pretty good,” he said.
AAA is currently expecting an overall visitor increase of about 6% from last year. The Gulf Coast region should see about 8-10 million people traveling over the Memorial Day weekend, most of them by automobile.
To keep up with the current gas prices in Mississippi, click here.
