Labor Day Gas Prices Going Down in Virginia

Travelers heading on the road for the Labor Day weekend will have lots of company — with 34.7 million people projected to travel 50 miles or more.

But, at least in Virginia, those travelers will also have something to smile about. AAA Mid-Atlantic reports that national gas prices are down 15 cents compared to Labor Day 2013. At $3.21 per gallon, Virginia prices are 23 cents less than the national average, and the fifth lowest in the country.

The Washington Metro area is averaging $3.41, that’s 16 cents less than the same time last year.

You can check the latest gas prices for the nation, states and metro areas at FuelGaugeReport.AAA.com. You can search for the lowest gas prices in your area at VirginiaGasPrices.com.

Are you traveling for the Labor Day weekend? More confident you can afford it? Tell us in the comments section!

Happy (Busy) Trails

The nearly 35 million hitting the roads will be the highest since the recession.

“AAA is forecasting a lift in Labor Day travel this year as Americans are more optimistic about their financial situation,” said Martha Mitchell Meade, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “Gas prices are also the lowest in August since 2010, giving the nearly 86 percent of holiday travelers taking to the road a bit of relief at the pump.”

The good times do not particularly extend to hotel room bills. According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond lodgings are expected to increase six percent from one year ago with travelers spending an average of $171 per night compared to $161 last year. The average hotel rate for AAA Two Diamond hotels has risen nine percent with an average cost of $125 per night.

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