Just when many area residents are hitting the highways, motorists can expect to encounter a bump in the road.
Gasoline prices in the area now range from $2.34 at Fabo’s service station in South Fork to $2.39 at several of the Sheetz stations around Johnstown.
That is a jump of nearly 30 cents in the past few weeks.
Despite the increase, the cost per gallon is much lower than it was last year at this time when prices soared to around $3.83 for the busy Memorial Day weekend.
Neil Gamson, an analyst for Energy Information Administration in Washington, said the prices track the recent increase in the cost of a barrel of oil.
“Three weeks ago it was $50 a barrel to over $60 today,” he said. “That’s the primary reason.”
As the economy sank into a recession, crude oil prices fell, Gamson explained.
“In some areas, we have sort of reached a bottom and are starting to head back up and that has been pushing oil prices up.”
Gamson said there is also a “season bump” that impacts fuel costs at this time of the year.
“Gasoline prices tend to go up in the spring and summer when there are more cars on the roads due to vacations.
“They could continue to go up a little more,” he said. “But we don’t anticipate them going up much more than they are now.“
Travelers unhappy with the cost of gas will find the weather more to their liking.
According to AccuWeather, temperatures will be in the 70s for the weekend.
Although rain is a possibility any day, temperatures should be mild and the sun will make an appearance from time to time.
AAA has projected that the number of Americans on the highways will be 1.5 percent higher than last year. The agency said it expects about 32.4 million travelers to take a journey of at least 50 miles this weekend.
Although motorists likely will encounter highway construction, there should be fewer delays than usual. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission said it will suspend maintenance and construction work from 3 p.m. today through 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Pennsylvania Driving Under the Influence Association in Harrisburg said municipal and state police will be conducting increased sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols and other under-the-influence related enforcement initiatives to cut down on alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers.
“Approximately one-third of fatal impaired-driving related crashes occur in the months of May, June, July, August and September,” said C. Stephen Erni, the association’s executive director.
According to the agency, 531 state residents lost their lives as a result of impaired-driving crashes last year.
During the Memorial Day weekend, 497 such crashes took the lives of 19 people, making it the second worst. Only the Thanksgiving holiday had more fatalities.
“This weekend there will be many nighttime safety checkpoints throughout Cambria County. So the message here is: ‘Wear your seat belt and don’t drink and drive,’ ” said Pam Kane, safety press officer for PennDOT’s District 9 in Hollidaysburg.
Local News
Related Photos
-
A sign at CoGo’s Express off Bedford Street in Johnstown indicates the latest gasoline prices. Crude oil prices hit a six-month high on Wednesday. Story, Page A11. Todd Berkey
Discussion
As holiday nears, gas prices rise
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
