Hit the Road Jack: Record Travel in Carolinas Expected

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) – A record number of motorists from the Carolinas are expected to head out on the highway this Memorial Day weekend, with gas prices the lowest in more than a decade.

AAA Carolinas forecasts that just over 1 million North Carolina motorists and nearly 50,000 in South Carolina will take road trips to celebrate the first big weekend of the summer season. That’s an increase of more than 2 percent over last year.

The motor club considers the holiday weekend from Thursday through next Monday.

The average price for a gallon of gas in North Carolina is $2.21 while in South Carolina it’s $2.05 – the main difference being the lower South Carolina state gasoline tax.

Gas in both states costs about 37 cents less a gallon than a year ago.