Community Corner
High Gas Prices Can’t Deter Connecticut Holiday-Makers
New Englanders are heading off for the Fourth of July weekend in greater numbers than the rest of the country.
If you’re heading away for this weekend it may be worth scheduling a little time for heavy traffic.
Despite Fourth of July gas being more expensive than any year since before the recession started, holidaymakers in New England are still heading out in record numbers to celebrate with weekends away, The New Haven Register reports.
The largest number of New England and Connecticut residents since 2001 will travel this weekend - 2.1 million people, or a 2.5 percent increase since last year according to estimates from the AAA Southern New England. The bulk of those travelers will be driving, despite the high gas prices.
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In Connecticut, the average price for gas this week is $3.98, 20 cents higher than it was last year and higher than the national average of $3.68, according the figures from AAA Southern New England.
More Americans are also going to be travelling around the country than last year - 41 million, in fact - but the national increase of 1.9 percent is still beaten by 2.5 percent more New Englanders going to celebrate the holiday away.
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Fran Mayko, spokeswoman for AAA Southern New England, said an improved economy is the reason for the increase in the number of people traveling, The New Haven Register reports.
Patch has some great advice on how to save money on gas. Where are you planning to go this weekend? Let us know in the Comments section and Happy 4th of July!Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
