Nation
Gas prices throw a wrench into vacation plans: Families prepare for 'costly' 2022 travel
[ad_1]
- While travel demand is still high, an AAA study found travelers are adjusting their vacation plans to compensate for rising gas prices.
- Paula Twidale of AAA suggested making bookings as soon as possible; this is not the time to wait for prices to go down.
- She also suggested a staycation that will put fewer miles on their car.
Chantel Claywell of Richmond, Indiana favors “unique” destinations and found the perfect spot last year: Tybee Island, Georgia.
Her four kids loved everything about it – the beach, the local ice cream and toy shops – and asked to go back this May once the school year wraps up.
“You can make memories without spending an arm and a leg to get on rides,” Claywell said. “It’s very quiet and peaceful. The sand is beautiful, the ocean is beautiful. It’s just very friendly when it comes to family.”
Claywell got as far as booking hotel rooms on Tybee Island before she had to pull the plug on the trip.
“Gas prices skyrocketed,” she explained. As of Friday, the average cost of a gallon of regular gas in Tennessee was $4.03, according to AAA.
GAS PRICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY:Gas experts break down costs from state to state
Claywell did the math: the 24-hour round trip to Tybee Island and back in the family’s Dodge Grand Caravan would cost them nearly $300 with gas prices at $4.25.
To cut costs, the Claywells are considering switching to a road trip to Santa Claus, Indiana, which is less than four hours away.
“My kids are super upset,” she said. “We haven’t told them where we might go instead, just in case gas is like $5.30 by the end of May. You never know. We don’t want to keep breaking hearts.”
Claywell isn’t alone. While travel demand is still high, a recent study from AAA found travelers are adjusting their vacation plans to compensate for rising gas prices.
WHY ARE GAS PRICES RISING SO QUICKLY?:And how high are they expected to get?
High gas prices are making travelers adjust their plans
A survey of more than 1,000 U.S.-based travelers conducted by AAA last month found 52% of plan to take a vacation this summer. Of those travelers, over half (58%) said they would consider changing their plans if gas prices got “high enough.”
Some travelers, like Amie Jones of Sparta, Tennessee, are pushing back the family vacation.
Jones and her family were planning to take their camper to Gatlinburg, Tennessee – a three-hour drive – while two of her kids were on spring break. Once gas prices spiked, though, they decided to travel somewhere closer to home this summer to cut costs.
“My husband, he drives to Lebanon in Tennessee (for work), which is about an hour drive. We’re already forking out a little bit more on gas, so we decided we’ll just do a staycation,” Jones said. “With the camper, we only get maybe 10 miles a gallon. We were just afraid what we budgeted for was going to go mostly to gas.”
Paula Twidale, senior vice president of travel for AAA, said while travelers may be adjusting their plans due to gas prices, it isn’t deterring travel.
“There’s a little bit of a chameleon aspect going on,” Twidale said. “Some things may be changing, but not necessarily canceling.”
MY CAR REQUIRES PREMIUM GAS:Can I switch to regular gas to save on high gas prices?
Summer travel demand still high, despite gas prices
Twidale noted that 2022 bookings within warm-weather destinations like Hawaii, Florida and Mexico are actually surpassing 2019 levels, according to AAA data.
Other travel companies are also seeing a surge in 2022 bookings.
A March 10 statement from vacation rental site Vrbo said demand for Vrbo properties this summer is already outpacing last summer by nearly 15%. Airlines are also seeing spring and summer bookings surpass 2019 levels.
Twidale credited pent-up demand after the 2020 shutdowns and the additional discretionary income many Americans have in their pockets.
“(Travel) will be more costly,” Twidale said. “Is it enough to make people change their mind about actually taking time off enjoying the vacation? I don’t think so.”
Instead of outright canceling vacation plans, Twidale expects to see travelers alter their plans to save costs.
‘IT’S NOT FUN’:Soaring gas prices are walloping Americans but hitting lower-income hardest
For travelers looking to save costs on their 2022 vacation, Twidale suggests:
► Changing travel dates to avoid peak room rates or flight prices;
► Taking advantage of travel rewards and points;
► Finding destinations that don’t require rental cars or driving; or
► Considering a staycation that will put fewer miles on their car.
Twidale also suggested making plans and bookings including airline ticket purchases as soon as possible; this is not the time to wait for prices to go down.
“It’s all in the planning,” she said. “I would say book early.”
HAVEN’T BOOKED AIRLINE TICKETS YET?:Don’t dawdle. Bookings are bonkers, pushing prices up
You can follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter @bailey_schulz and follow our free travel newsletter here.
[ad_2]
[ad_1]
Uber, Lyft made safety improvements, but many of those protect riders more than drivers. But drivers are also in danger.
Naomi Ogutu
Opinion contributor
I’ve been a rideshare driver in New York City for six years, and I take pride in my job and helping my passengers get where they need to go safely. But my safety is not a guarantee. I’m a mom of three. I need to know that I’ll make it home to my kids at the end of each night.
Subscribe to continue reading
Access all subscriber-only stories free for 2 months
Subscribe Now
[ad_2]
Business
'A bad déjà vu': Under the crush of Western sanctions, Russians fear a return to dark economic days
[ad_1]
The lone No. 1 seed still alive heading into the Elite Eight, Kansas needs only a win against No. 10 Miami (Fla.) to book a spot in the Final Four.
No. 2 Duke and coach Mike Krzyzewski can make one last Final Four and chase one final national championship by beating No. 4 Arkansas.
No. 2 Villanova can reach the national semifinals for the third time in six tournaments by winning what should be a defense-dominated brawl against No. 5 Houston.
And after beating No. 4 UCLA in the Sweet 16, No. 8 North Carolina is one win from reaching the Final Four under first-year coach Hubert Davis.
If everything goes according to plan, this year’s Final Four will consist of some of the biggest names in the history of the sport.
But the last week has taught us that this year’s NCAA Tournament will inevitably deviate from the script.
So look for the Jayhawks to be shocked in the Elite Eight, as the Bill Self collection of tournament collapses adds another painful chapter. Based on how things have gone through three rounds, Arkansas is a lock to send Krzyzewski into retirement one game shy of the Final Four. Villanova may be a two-time champion under Jay Wright, but the Wildcats will be smothered by Houston.
And, of course, the Tar Heels will lose to the team that embodies the wackiness and uncertainty of this entire tournament.
Saint Peter’s stands at the precipice of another outlandish achievement: being the first No. 15 seed — the first seed lower than No. 11, in fact — to reach the Final Four.
The Peacocks will be the underdog once again come Sunday, when they’ll match against a deeper and more talented opponent with decades of history to more than overshadow the Peacocks’ three-game run.
But beating another college basketball giant will simply take what we already know the Peacocks can bring to the table: Saint Peter’s reached the Elite Eight with energy, aggressiveness and composure, following the model set by unflappable coach Shaheen Holloway, and that same combination will give the Peacocks a chance at etching themselves into an even more permanent place in NCAA Tournament history.
“We’re happy but don’t mistake, we’re not satisfied, we’re not satisfied at all,” said guard Doug Edert. “The job is not finished. We feel like we belong and the more games we win the more confidence we build.”
That sounds like bad news for the Tar Heels, who might’ve righted the ship after a poor start to ACC play but could be the latest blueblood to the Peacocks’ formula.
At some point, the magic has to run out — for Saint Peter’s, which somehow keeps stacking upsets of higher-ranked opponents, and for the tournament at large, which has been wackier than ever but could suddenly snap back to the status quo.
But this March has not gone according to plan. Several big names lost early. Others failed to get out of the second round. The story of this year’s tournament has been upsets, shockers, letdowns, unpredictable officiating and unpredictability, period — why should the next two days be any different?
Follow colleges reporter Paul Myerberg on Twitter @PaulMyerberg
[ad_2]
The Top Signs Your Computer May Be Infected With Malware
Effective Communication Strategies for Addressing Wage Garnishments With Employees
Comparing Solar Panel Costs And Energy Savings – What You Need to Know
New Soundboard Review: Pricing is Not Always the Only Criteria
Boxed Packaged Goods: How To Choose The Appropriate Material
Inspiration for 'Contact' still listening
-
Tech1 year ago
New Soundboard Review: Pricing is Not Always the Only Criteria
-
Health10 months agoBoxed Packaged Goods: How To Choose The Appropriate Material
-
Science1 year ago
Inspiration for 'Contact' still listening
-
Health12 months agoAdvantages of Using CBG Oil
-
Tech1 year agoHottest Wearable Tech and Smart Gadgets of 2022 Will Blow Your Mind
-
Health11 months agoBenefits of Assisted Living
-
Tech1 year agoComputers Climb the List of the Top Gadgets in Forbes Magazine
-
Business1 year agoEU shame as Putin pulls strings ‒ senior figures' links to Russian business laid bare