Community Corner
More People Expected to Travel this Memorial Day Weekend
Are you one of the estimated 4.2 million Californians expected to take a trip this Memorial Day weekend, despite higher gas prices?
As many of us already know, Highway 17 is going to be a tangle and forget about making it past 41st Ave. before Monday if you're heading down the One.
According to the California State Automobile Association, an estimated 4.2 million Californians will travel more than 50 miles this holiday weekend — a 1.5 percent increase from one year ago.
Of those leaving home, more than 3.5 million will drive, a 1.6 percent increase despite higher gasoline prices.
Find out what's happening in Santa Cruzwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Another 390,000 are expected to fly, which is a decrease of 5.2 percent despite the fact that air fares are down 7 percent compared to a year ago.
An estimated 265,000 will travel by other means, including train, bus and boat. That's a 1.9 percent increase.
Find out what's happening in Santa Cruzwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
CSAA officials estimate the average road trip will be 750 miles long. A family of four is expected to pay an average of $800 for their weekend journey.
“High debt burdens, gasoline prices, and uncertainties regarding the strength of the current economic recovery have not deterred Californians from holiday travel,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson, Cynthia Harris. “... but many consumers intend to cut back on the distance they travel, as well on entertainment expenses, to compensate for reduced travel budgets."
Hotel costs are up 8 percent from a year ago. Gas prices are also higher.
In California, the average price right now for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline is $4.34. That's up 20 cents from a year ago and 14 cents from a month ago, according to Triple A's gas price website.
If you are braving the roads this Memorial Day weekend, we thought it might be helpful to know where to get the cheapest gas in Santa Cruz.
Arco at Capitola Rd. and 7th Ave. came in with the least expensive, a paltry $4.17 per gallon. Rotten Robbie at Mission St. and Berkshire Ave. is six cents higher, charging $4.23 per gallon.
Seven stations are holding the third spot, offering unleaded gallons for $4.23.
Gas Station Address Price Arco 705 Capitola Rd. & 7th Ave. $4.17 Rotten Robbie 1906 Mission St. & Berkshire Ave. $4.23 Vallero 1701 Capitola Rd. & 17th Ave. $4.23 Vallero 2202 Mission St. & Miramar Dr. $4.23 U.S. Pro Gasoline 823 Mission St. & Walnut Ave. $4.23 Costco 120 Sylvania Ave. & Harvey W Blvd. $4.23 USA Gasoline 2680 Soquel Ave & 7th Ave $4.23 Sav-on Gasoline 1415 Ocean St & Pryce St $4.23 Vallero 1319 Ocean St & Franklin St $4.25No matter if you're biking, skateboarding or driving, stay safe and share the road.
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