Andrew O’Brien and his family planned to travel to Florida this summer. But plans fell through because gas was too expensive.
The trip would have cost the computer science freshman $90 in gas.
Though gas prices have recently dipped, the Energy Information Administration predicts gas retail prices to average $3.75 per gallon during this summer’s driving season: April 1 through September 30.
Gas prices averaged $3.81 nationwide during Memorial Day weekend.
According to a CNN Opinion Research Poll, 53 percent of Americans had to change their summer vacation plans because of this year’s record-breaking gas prices.
O’Brien drives a 2005 Toyota Corolla, which gets a generous 31 mpg. In most other cars, gas expenses would be much higher.
Mass communication sophomore Jenna Wray and five of her family members piled into her Ford 500 sedan last week to travel to Texas. Though they still made the trip, gas prices set Wray back about $120.
Bonnie Guerriero’s trip to Mobile, Ala., for this year’s Hangout Music Festival would have cost around the same in gas expenses — forcing her to cancel her plans.
Guerriero, undeclared sophomore, said she had been looking forward to the festival, but “everything is so much more expensive because gas prices are so high.” She decided to stay in Monroe and work.
Around the country tourism hot spots are bracing for a slow summer.
Theresa Overby, director of communications at the Baton Rouge visitor’s bureau, said tourism in Baton Rouge may not suffer as much as anticipated thanks to Bayou Country Superfest and the recent dip in gas prices.
In addition, the city is beginning new initiative to promote in-state travel with shorter drive times using the new app “SCVNGR.”
According to Overby, two “treks” have been designed for vacationers to enjoy attractions in and around Baton Rouge over a several day trip.
Overby said she and her staff remain “cautiously optimistic” about the summer ahead.
 
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Contact Laura Furr at [email protected].