MYRTLE BEACH - Memorial Day is traditionally the kickoff of the summer travel season. And with gas prices way down compared to this time last year, more Americans are predicted to hit the roads this summer.
AAA Carolinas predicted last week that the number of Carolina drivers hitting the road for the Memorial Day Holiday weekend was forecast to rise 5 percent, compared to last year. A major factor fueling the increased travel, lower gas prices, the average price for a gallon of fuel down $1.50 in South Carolina, compared to May of 2008.
So, with more of us making travel plans this summer, how can you get more for your money as you put together your summer vacation plans?
Here are great online resources that can help you do just that:
First, to find the cheapest gas prices in your area, or along your travel route, log on to www.gasbuddy.com. There you can track gas prices in all 50 states, plus Canada. You can also compare prices of today, to years past.
More and more people are using mobile devices to save money, and there are resources for saving on gas prices too. At www.mobgas.com, you can sign up for text messages giving you the latest gas prices in your area as well as alerts sent straight to your cell phone when prices go down. You can also view maps guiding you to the lowest-priced gas stations as you travel.
Looking to avoid construction delays and bottlenecks? AAA's TripTik Travel Planner includes detour and construction information, full screen map capability, and the ability to plan a trip with up to 12 destinations. To sign up, click on www.aaa.com.
The Federal Highway Administration’s www.fhwa.gov is another good resource for tracking traffic conditions and construction delays along your route.
Finally, to get an estimate of your total gas costs on your trip, log on to www.gasprices.mapquest.com, and click on the gas price calculator. You will need to know your car's fuel efficiency.
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