The Road Ahead: Expect Higher Gas Prices, COVID-19 Issues If You’re Planning A Summer Car Trip

According to the AAA, nearly 37 million pandemic-pooped people are expected to travel at least 50 miles away from home via their cars, trucks, and SUVs over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. 

While that figure is 60 percent higher than the same period in 2020 when 23 million hit the highways, it’s still the lowest on record since 2000. Apparently some Americans remain somewhat cautious about venturing out into the wild after more than a year of being cooped up at home.

While traveling via car, truck, or SUV is otherwise a safe and self-quarantined way to get out of the house and seek adventure, the AAA warns that travelers should continue to follow the recommended COVID-19 precautions. This means continuing social distancing, hand washing, mask wearing, and avoiding crowded indoor venues, though its okay for those who have been vaccinated to socialize with small groups of friends or family who have also gotten their shots.

The organization also suggests road-trippers check ahead of time regarding any state and local travel restrictions that may be in effect at their chosen destinations. 

 “The entire travel experience has been transformed by COVID-19. If you’re considering travel sometime this year, it’s more important than ever to do your due diligence ahead of any trip to ensure it is safe and enjoyable,” says Paula Twidale, senior vice president, AAA Travel. “As vaccines help boost consumer confidence to begin traveling again, we have to remember that wearing masks and social distancing are still a requirement.”

Unfortunately, holiday travelers will be facing higher gasoline prices, if not outright shortages, due to the Colonial Pipeline being shut down after suffering a cyber-attack late last week. The pipeline delivers around 45 percent of all fuel to the nation’s East Coast. Already, gas stations in several states are reporting that they’ve run out of gas in face of diminished supplies and panicky drivers topping off their vehicles’ tanks.

According to the AAA, the average nationwide price for a gallon of unleaded gas is currently at $2.98, which is already up from $1.85 a year ago. “Areas including Mississippi, Tennessee, and the east coast from Georgia into Delaware are most likely to experience limited fuel availability and price increases,” says AAA spokesperson Jeanette McGee. “These states may see prices increase three to seven cents this week.” The ill effect could linger, as it’s expected to take as long as 18 days for fuel to flow again in earnest from Texas to New York.

What’s more, it could take Memorial Day travelers longer than expected to get where they want to go because of increased highway congestion. The traffic experts at INRIX predict drivers will face the most onerous tie-ups on Thursday, May 27 and Friday, May 28. Drivers in several major U.S. cities could see travel times double, while motorists in Atlanta, Houston and New York could find themselves facing three times the normal delays on the busiest byways.

Whether you’ll be driving far afield or just across the state line, the AAA says it’s imperative to make sure your vehicle is mechanically sound before embarking on a trip. The easiest way to go is to take the vehicle to a trusted mechanic to ensure it’s roadworthy. Otherwise, there are self-checks you can perform in your own driveway:

• Open the hood and look for worn, cracked, blistered or soft belts or hoses; have them replaced if needed. Check the level of coolant in the radiator overflow tank; if it’s low, replenish it with a 50/50 percent mix of coolant and water and keep the remainder of the jug in the trunk. Likewise, check the engine oil level and top it off if necessary; better yet, have the oil changed before taking a trip.
• Examine the vehicle’s tires for uneven and excessive wear and replace them if the tread is thinner than the distance from the top of Lincoln’s head to the edge of a penny. 
• Use a tire-pressure gauge to make sure they’re inflated according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, which are usually indicated via a sticker inside the driver’s-side door. Note that the recommended pressures for a given vehicle’s front and rear tires may differ, and the spare may require yet another pressure. 
• Pay attention to your car’s battery. You may think getting through a cold winter is the worst of it, but hot weather can be especially brutal on a battery. Disconnect the battery cables and clear any corrosion from both the connection points and the terminal posts with a wire brush; ensure they’re securely re-attached to the terminals.
• Don’t forget to check the car’s windshield wipers and washer fluid to ensure there’s maximum visibility when needed. Wiper blades typically last six to 12 months depending on the climate and other factors, and the AAA suggests motorists replace then whenever they fail to wipe the glass clean in a single swipe. Be sure to top off the washer fluid tank before embarking on a road trip; keep a jug in the trunk for subsequent refills.

Finally, carry an emergency kit that, at the least, consists of a flashlight with extra batteries, warning devices such as flares or reflective triangles, jumper cables, a first-aid kit, extra water, and some healthy snacks, just in case you need it.

Bon voyage!