MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Appalachian area motorists planning leisure trips throughout the spring continue to adjust to an increase in costs at the gas pump.
AAA Public Affairs Director for the East Central Office Jim Garrity reported on WAJR’s Talk of the Town that the near $100 per barrel crude oil prices have not resulted in a decline in motorists traveling 50 miles or more over the weekend. This is despite gas prices that have averaged at around $4 per gallon across the country, depending on local fees, which is about $1 more expensive in comparison to one year ago.
“Crude oil is the main ingredient in gasoline, and when it goes up and down, that’s 50 to 60 percent of what you’re spending at the pump,” said Garrity. “So today’s average, looking across the country, is around $4.03 (per gallon), when you compare that to this time last year, it was $3.17.”
According to Garrity, gas prices as a result of the Iranian conflict have ranged just above the $4 per gallon range due to the decrease in supply of crude oil. This is due to the conflict affecting around 20 percent of the world’s oil supply as a result of factors such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The expectation is that the trend won’t end anytime in the immediate future.
“That splash that happened all the way over there, the ripples made their way to us, and what we’re looking at is crude oil prices today at about $93, that’s where it’s trading right now,” said Garrity. “Looking at it, it was in excess of $100 there for a little bit, but before all that started it was down around $60, that’s a crucial point.”
Garrity also noted that much like in 2022 when crude oil topped at around $120 per barrel, leisure travel was not affected by the increase at the gas pumps. It was noted that day-to-day travel was significantly minimized in order to account for the increase in gas prices, especially if it was over 50 miles or more. The trend is expected to stay the same in 2026.
“What we’ve seen historically is that people don’t cancel their road trips when prices go up, they were just finding other ways to make up for that money in their budget, essentially driving less throughout the week,” said Garrity.
While crude oil prices are expected to remain around the $100 per barrel range as the Iranian conflict persists, Garrity also noted that prices are expected to decline significantly when the conflict resolves. This is based on crude oil prices that averaged at around $60 per gallon before the conflict began earlier this year. With the situation remaining ongoing, Garrity expects AAA to monitor any changes so customers can be advised in the best way possible.
“Back in 2022, it was up in the $120 range, so we’re not quite there yet, but we’re also going into the time of the year where more people start hitting the roads,” said Garrity. “It’s road trip season, it really is kind of up in the air what exactly is going to happen next in a AAA, so we’re watching it kind of day by day at this point.”