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O.C. gas prices drop nearly 10 cents in a week
The news comes as an expected 2.2 million SoCal residents prep to hit the road for Memorial Day, says the Auto Club.
By Kristen SchottPublished: May 26, 2011 02:32 PM
Gas prices dropped throughout Orange County and the larger SoCal region in the last week – it's welcome news for the 2.2 million regional residents expected to hit the road for Memorial Day weekend, according to a recent report from the Auto Club.
It currently costs $4.065 for a gallon of regular in Orange County; the price is down 9.9 cents from last week. Numbers also fell in Riverside-San Bernardino, San Diego and L.A., among other areas.
“The Auto Club is expecting that 84 percent of Southern California travelers, or 2.2 million people, will drive to their holiday destinations this weekend, so the gas price drops are coming at a good time,” said Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring.
Still, gas prices in the SoCal area are about a dollar more than last year; in O.C., for example, it cost $3.032 for a gallon of regular at the same time in 2010. It's something that may have contributed to the slight decline in the number of residents who expect to travel via car – and the larger increase in those who plan to go by plane, according to the Auto Club.
About 288,000 SoCal residents plan to fly to their destinations. In total, some 2.6 million area individuals plan to take a trip of at least 50 miles.
"Here at AAA, an increased number of travelers made Memorial Day travel plans in January or February – before the significant gas price increases took place," said Filomena Andre, vice president for travel products and services at the Auto Club. "But even now, we're hearing from members that they will adjust their spending to make sure they can take a vacation this holiday weekend and throughout this summer."
Related headlines
'OC METRO Minute,' May 26: Heal the Bay gives O.C. beaches high marks
Irvine gets $476.6 million boost from visitor spending
Passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport slips in April
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It currently costs $4.065 for a gallon of regular in Orange County; the price is down 9.9 cents from last week. Numbers also fell in Riverside-San Bernardino, San Diego and L.A., among other areas. “The Auto Club is expecting that 84 percent of Southern California travelers, or 2.2 million people, will drive to their holiday destinations this weekend, so the gas price drops are coming at a good time,” said Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring. Still, gas prices in the SoCal area are about a dollar more than last year; in O.C., for example, it cost $3.032 for a gallon of regular at the same time in 2010. It's something that may have contributed to the slight decline in the number of residents who expect to travel via car – and the larger increase in those who plan to go by plane, according to the Auto Club. About 288,000 SoCal residents plan to fly to their destinations. In total, some 2.6 million area individuals plan to take a trip of at least 50 miles. "Here at AAA, an increased number of travelers made Memorial Day travel plans in January or February – before the significant gas price increases took place," said Filomena Andre, vice president for travel products and services at the Auto Club. "But even now, we're hearing from members that they will adjust their spending to make sure they can take a vacation this holiday weekend and throughout this summer." Related headlines 'OC METRO Minute,' May 26: Heal the Bay gives O.C. beaches high marks Irvine gets $476.6 million boost from visitor spending Passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport slips in April |
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