CLEVELAND, Ohio — It’s estimated that 42.3 million people will travel this weekend in the U.S., with 37.1 million using their vehicles to get to their destinations, an increase of 2 million from 2022.
So how much can drivers expect to pay to fill up their tanks?
The average price for a gallon of gas as of Thursday in Ohio is $3.53, according to AAA, slightly below the national average of $3.57. But cheaper prices can be found in Northeast Ohio.
The website gasbuddy.com shows that a Clark station on Euclid Avenue in Wickliffe is selling regular unleaded at $3.09 per gallon, nearly 50 cents below the national average. Two stations in Madison in Lake County, a Sheetz located near the exit to Ohio 528 from Interstate 90 and a Shell in the village, are at $3.11 per gallon.
In Cleveland, several stations are listed at $3.29 per gallon, according to Gas Buddy, including Ohio City Gas on Lorain Avenue, a BP on West 14th Street and a Sunoco on Clark Avenue. The average price in Cuyahoga County is $3.54 per gallon, AAA shows.
In Northeast Ohio, the lowest average price is in Portage County at $3.47, while Geauga County is above the national average at $3.60 per gallon.
While it might seem high, it’s an improvement from last year, when the average price in Ohio was $4.45 per gallon. AAA says the lightest travel days for drivers likely will be Saturday and Sunday.
AAA says that INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, projects the busiest time on the roads likely will be between 3 and 6 p.m. today. Roads will be congested during the afternoons on both Monday and Tuesday, with AAA recommending the best time to travel in the morning or after 6 p.m.
“With lower fuel prices and more travelers on the road compared to last year, drivers should expect long delays this holiday weekend, especially in and around major metros as commuters mix with Memorial Day travelers,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, tells AAA. “Knowing when and where congestion will build can help drivers avoid the stress of sitting in traffic. Our advice is to avoid driving during peak hours or use alternative routes.”
