Travel Up, Gas Prices Down - North Carolina NPR News

Travel Up, Gas Prices Down

July 3, 2012 | Steve Biddle

Travel over the Independence Day holiday is expected to increase by five percent over last year… and with the extreme heat, motorists should take some extra precautions. Triple-A Carolinas attributes the rise in travel to reduced gasoline prices, an improving economy and a mid-week holiday. More than a million North Carolinians are expected to fly or drive fifty miles or more this week. And the price of regular gas has dropped considerably since Memorial Day…. Triple-A says, on average, prices are down nearly 31 cents per gallon since late May, and 49 cents cheaper than July 4th last year. There were predictions just a little over a month ago that gas might hit 4 dollars a gallon, but now it’s available in some areas for under 3 dollars. In the Triad, gas has been reported for 2-92 a gallon at some locations in Burlington. Triple-A cautions, though, that the extreme heat we’ve been experiencing can take its toll on your vehicle. The most vulnerable component is the battery, followed by the air conditioning system, because the intense heat tends to dry up fluids, and high heat severely reduces battery life… so Triple-A recommends getting the battery, air conditioner, windshield wipers, tires and coolant checked before leaving on a long road trip.