Elite Auto Rental Blog

As gas prices continue to climb, more travelers are choosing to fly and rent a car at their destination, rather than drive over this Memorial Day Weekend.

For those keeping score, CNN reports that the nationwide average for the price of gas is now at $3.875 per gallon, a significant increase from a year ago when gas averaged $3.23 per gallon.

The rising cost of fuel has made travel of all kinds more expensive. “Travelers this Memorial Day have to redo the math on the cost of driving,” says Ron Sturgeon, owner of a Fort Worth car rental company. “We have had some luxury car rentals for Memorial Day from out-of-towners flying in to DFW,” reports the owner of DFW Elite Auto Rental.com.

According to CNN, an estimated 12% of Americans will be traveling for Memorial Day weekend, but it seems that 23% of Americans traveling will be altering their plans – either driving shorter distances or using other forms of transportation.

The current fuel price of $3.875 is the 16th consecutive record-setting nationwide average. The price at the pump has risen every day for the last 17 days, leaving motorists wondering when fuel prices will level off.

Amtrak is taking advantage of the increase in demand by offering discounted fares for families. Children ages 2 through 15 get to ride the train at half price, and students, seniors, veterans, and many other groups can also travel at a discount.

The Amtrak website directly addresses the topic of high fuel prices, saying, “Shocked by outrageous prices at the pumps and sky-high airfares? This year, do something different — take your vacation by train, on Amtrak.”

“We are still a nation that loves driving and loves the freedom of the open road,” says Sturgeon. “I’m confident that Americans will find a solution to rising prices at the pump,” said the owner of a Tarrant County car rental company.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.