Falling Gas Prices Boost Memorial Day Travel
High gas prices nationwide will cut down the amount of drivers on the roadways during Memorial Day weekend, but air travel will see an increase, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.
Still, gas prices in the desert are lower than they were a week ago, which is bringing more tourists to the area.
The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire fell today for the 21st consecutive day, decreasing a half-cent to $4.041.
Get the latest traffic conditions in the Coachella Valley and throughout Southern California here.
The average price in Riverside and San Bernardino counties is 10.3 cents less than one week ago and 16.3 cents lower than a month ago but $1.028 higher than a year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
The Ace Hotel and Swim Club on Thursday launched its ‘Desert Days’ event.
There were live DJs with guests lounging near the pools.
But many of the visitors wouldn’t have shown up if the cost to drive there was what it was last week.
Regular unleaded gas at the Arco AM/PM in Palm Desert was down to $3.89 a gallon.
The same went for the Pilot gas station in Palm Springs.
That’s still high for some, but a big improvement from last week, making Memorial Day plans a lot cheaper.
“Last week, we had a bunch of buddies go, and this week, we can afford the gas, so we’re going to Havasu,” said George Stunack, from Palm Springs. “Hope it keeps going down.”
Corporal Brad Gamber has been in Missouri the past two months and just returned to Coachella Valley.
He says it costs more than $120 to fill up his full-sized truck.
But two of his close friends lost limbs fighting in wars overseas, and he said their sacrifices pale in comparison to the one he pays at the pump.
“There are tons of injured service members out there,” said Gamber. “It’s a time to give them our props and say, ‘we understand what you sacrificed.'”
The average price per gallon of gas is down more than 11 cents in the Riverside and San Bernadino County area from this same period last week, according to AAA.
Overall, 2.6 million Southern Californians will travel this Memorial Day weekend and 84 percent are expected to drive.
One of the main reasons people travel to Palm Springs are the hiking trails — one of them being the Indian Canyons.
The city offers waterparks, restaurants, museums, bars and nightclubs.
Villagefest in downtown is also a big hit.
“We’re gonna go through all the shops and then hit up the festival and see what’s out here and meet a lot of good people,” said Stephanie Newberry, whose family recently moved to the Coachella Valley.
“It’s absolutely great,” said Cpl. Brandon Newberry, who works at the 29 Palm Marine Base. “Out in Jacksonville, North Carolina, we don’t have stuff like this. (Now) we have a place I can actually take my family to and be real nice outside.”
The Ace Hotel has about 178 rooms and they expect to be sold out at least through Sunday.
Some of their room packages offer gas credits and that has been a big hit.
“It’s a nice close getaway,” said Jason Dibler, general manager of the Ace Hotel. “But I think they really like to get out whether its to relax or to have another life for the weekend.”
