Gas prices on rise ahead of Memorial Day weekend

ATLANTA — If you're driving over the next few days, prepare to pay more for gas this holiday weekend.

AAA said prices are the highest we've seen in four years.

Gas prices shot up 15 cents nationwide in the last two weeks.

"I needed to stop ... this $2.89 is killing me. It was just $2.79 the other day," said driver Shantay Hunter.

Prices are going up in metro Atlanta ahead of the busy holiday travel weekend.

The metro Atlanta average hit $2.88 Friday, up two cents in the last 24 hours.

In Gwinnett County, drivers are paying $2.82 at a RaceTrac on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Norcross.

Ebony Pinson, filling up her rental car, is driving from Florida back to Mississippi.

"It's cheaper here ... about $3.93, I think was the highest I saw," Pinson said.

According to AAA officials, compared to an average of the last three Memorial Day weekends, prices are about 50 cents higher and climbing.

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However, some on the road this holiday weekend told Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach they don't seem to notice the pain.

"I don't really pay attention to the price cause I need gas, going to get it anyway. If I want to go, I have to pay it, only choice I have," said driver David Boone.

In Henry County, drivers at a Chevron just off Interstate 75 are paying $2.95 for regular gas, a little higher than the metro Atlanta average.

Experts told Gehlbach once the demand decreases after this weekend, prices could creep back down as we head into June.

Any disruptions, such as a tropical storm on the horizon, can cause shortages, and prices likely will spike again.

A recent survey by Gas Buddy shows travel plans through the summer are changing because of the higher gas prices, with only 58 percent of those surveyed saying they'll take a trip this year. That's down 24 percent from last year.

Cox Media Group