ABC11: Many North Carolina families stay local

ABC11 reported on May 17 that some North Carolina families are scaling back Memorial Day travel plans even as AAA forecasts a record 45 million Americans will travel over the holiday weekend. The local station said higher gasoline prices and broader household costs are pushing some travelers to swap longer interstate trips for shorter drives closer to home. The holiday travel period in AAA’s forecast runs from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. AAA said that would top last year’s 44.8 million Memorial Day travelers. ### How big is the Memorial Day travel forecast this year? AAA said on May 11 that 45 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the Memorial Day period. The group said that would set a new Memorial Day weekend record and edge above 2025’s 44.8 million travelers. AAA said 39.1 million people are expected to travel by car and 3.66 million by air. (abc11.com) The forecast also said driving remains the dominant mode of travel even with fuel prices above year-earlier levels. ### Why are some North Carolina families staying closer to home? ABC11 said North Carolina families interviewed for its May 17 report described postponing longer trips and favoring nearby destinations instead. (newsroom.aaa.com) The station framed those decisions around higher gas prices and rising costs for everyday goods. (southjersey.aaa.com) AAA’s fuel tracker listed North Carolina’s average regular gasoline price at $4.194 per gallon on May 17. AAA’s national average stood at $4.515 on May 18, according to the same tracker. ### What do higher gas prices look like in North Carolina right now? AAA’s North Carolina page showed average regular gasoline at $4.194 per gallon as of May 17. The statewide tracker said county averages were being updated daily. (abc11.com) ABC11 has also reported this spring that rising fuel prices were already affecting travel budgets in the state before the Memorial Day rush. (gasprices.aaa.com) A March 8 ABC11 report said families were watching fuel costs as they finalized spring-break plans, and a March 31 report said national gasoline prices had climbed past $4 a gallon for the first time in four years. ### Is this only a North Carolina story? AAA’s forecast is national, and the group said the 45 million figure covers all U.S. travelers going at least 50 miles from home between May 21 and May 25. ABC11’s reporting focused on how that national surge is landing in North Carolina households facing higher pump prices. (abc11.com) INRIX, in material distributed with AAA’s forecast, said road traffic is expected to be heaviest during the holiday period as millions drive to their destinations. AAA said lower average airfares for some travelers who booked early could offset part of the pressure from higher gasoline costs, but its forecast still showed cars accounting for the large majority of trips. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### What should travelers watch in the days ahead? Memorial Day travel in AAA’s forecast begins on Thursday, May 21, and ends on Monday, May 25. Travelers in North Carolina can track updated state and national pump prices through AAA’s daily fuel-price pages as the weekend approaches. AAA’s next milestone is the start of that five-day travel window on May 21. (inrix.com) ABC11’s report indicates that for some North Carolina families, the decision has already been made: shorter drives, nearby destinations and fewer long-haul holiday trips this year. (abc11.com) (newsroom.aaa.com)