Drivers are spending $69 more a month to fill-up compared to last summer. According to AAA, gasoline expenses are accounting, on average, for seven percent of an American’s 2018 annual income, a one and a half percent increase since summer of 2017. With strong summer consumer gasoline demand expected in the months ahead, AAA says motorists can expect little relief at the pump with the national gas price average ranging between $2.85 – $3.05 through Labor Day.
“Motorists can expect to spend at least $250 more on gas this season, but that won’t stop them from taking a summertime road trip this year,” said Ken Grant, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “Higher gas prices may just encourage travelers to shorten their driving distance while others may save money by eating out less or finding more free family-fun activities while on vacation.”
According to a AAA survey conducted earlier this year, only one in three (33 percent) respondents said they would change travel plans if gas prices hit $3, while nearly half (47 percent) say $3.50 would be the game changer for their summer plans.
In Delaware
|
County
|
Monthly Cost of Gas 2018
|
Monthly Cost of Gas 2017
|
Monthly Cost of Gas 2016
|
|
Kent
|
$332.22
|
$267.27
|
$264.90
|
|
New Castle
|
$334.26
|
$268.97
|
$264.92
|
|
Sussex
|
$329.09
|
$265.89
|
$266.72
|
|
County
|
Percentage of Income Spent on Gas 2018
|
Percentage of Income Spent on Gas 2017
|
Percentage of Income Spent on Gas 2016
|
|
Kent
|
7.2 percent
|
5.8 percent
|
5.8 percent
|
|
New Castle
|
6.1 percent
|
4.9 percent
|
4.8 percent
|
|
Sussex
|
7.3 percent
|
5.9 percent
|
5.9 percent
|
Then and Now Price Points: June 2017 vs. June 2018
As vacationers hit the road, they will find 25 percent of all gas stations across the country are selling gas for more than $3 per gallon. That is a stark difference from one year ago when only 5 percent of stations touted the $3 or more mark. The chart below compares the percentage of stations in the Mid-Atlantic region selling gas for $3.01 or more today versus one year ago.
|
State
|
June 2017: Percentage of gas station selling $3.01+
|
|
|
Delaware
|
0 percent
|
1 percent
|
|
New Jersey
|
0 percent
|
26 percent
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
0 percent
|
66 percent
|
|
Maryland
|
0 percent
|
11 percent
|
Don’t Let Your Tank Break Your Bank.
For when you are behind the wheel this summer, AAA offers these tips to improve your driving to get better gas mileage:
Observe the speed limit. Not only is it safer, it can help you save money.
Lose the weight. The heavier your car, the more fuel it uses.
Accelerate gradually. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
Drive during cooler parts of the day. Cooler, denser air can boost power and mileage.
Maintain recommended tire pressure. Low pressure reduces fuel economy and can damage tires.
Source: AAA Mid-Atlantic