Gas prices rise as Memorial Day approaches

With Memorial Day weekend fast approaching — the traditional start of the summer driving season — local gas prices are starting their annual climb.

A gallon of regular unleaded averaged $2.14 Friday at Lowcountry gas stations, more than 9 percent higher than a month ago. In the Charleston area, prices have risen 12 cents in the last week, according to AAA's Fuel Gauge Report.

But last year's record highs of more than $4 a gallon are keeping the pennies in perspective.

Michele Hoban said, "I didn't even notice, after being so shell shocked last summer." But once prices hit the $3 mark, the James Island resident said she watches it like a hawk.

Chris Williams, also of James Island, paid $46.50 Thursday at V-Go on Savannah Highway in West Ashley to fill up his Ford Expedition three-quarters of a tank. The musician said he remembers the pain of last year, when it cost more than $100 a week to keep his car on the road.

"It's not like it's ridiculous," said Janelle Sliba. She filled her Kia Sedona for $35, a drop in the bucket compared to last Memorial Day weekend, when she took the family to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and fill-ups were $80.

The well known summer climb in prices is playing out nationally with prices creeping up nearly 24 cents in a month.

The reason prices go up this time each year is because refineries are changing over to their summer blends, coupled with more demand, as families hit the summer roads, said Brendan Byrnes, manager of public relations for AAA Carolinas.

Experts expect regular gasoline retail prices to average $2.21 per gallon through September, which is still down $1.60 from last summer.

The low prices compared to last year will translate into larger numbers hitting the highways this Memorial Day. An estimated 32.4 million people, or 11 percent of the U.S. population, will take some kind of trip over the holiday, most of them on the road.

Regional travel forecasts for North and South Carolina are expected early next week. "We expect them to be slightly higher than the national average because we have so many great driving locations, and the coast has not been hit as hard as other parts of the nation," Byrnes said.

Travel predictions beyond the holiday weekend, however, still look gloomy. Through September, Americans are expected to take 20 million fewer trips compared with last year and spend $43 billion less on everything from gasoline to plane tickets to hotel rooms, AAA analysts said.

Despite the recession's tight grip, experts are looking for a glimmer of hope in the rising price of gas. In addition to seasonal reasons, analysts attribute the increase to suggestions that the economy may have reached a turning point in the current recession, according to the Energy Information Administration.

"It shows the economy is rebounding when gas goes up," said Summerville resident Noah Roberts. "It's got to be a lot better than last year."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reach Jill Coley at 937-5719 or jcoley@postandcourier.com.