Memorial Day journey plans shift as Alaska gasoline costs close to report highs

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – As Memorial Day weekend approaches, Anchorage residents and guests are adjusting their journey plans as gasoline costs close to report highs.

At Westchester Lagoon on Monday, Nancy Podgorski looked for spring shorebirds, one thing she plans to do that Memorial Day as nicely.

“This is just the best time of year to go birding in Anchorage,” Podgorski mentioned.

Due to the price of journey, Podgorski gained’t make it again to Homer for the Shorebird Festival this 12 months.

“It was disappointing to be honest because last year we went and it was so fun and it’s such a great activity and there’s lots of festivals around,” Podgorski mentioned.

“The jump from $3.89 a gallon to $5.19, and who knows how much higher it’s going to go, that’s really significant for people that are retired on a teacher’s retirement budget,” Podgorski mentioned. “It’s like … that’s the difference between eating ramen noodles and not eating ramen noodles.”

Alli, an Anchorage resident who lately moved from Maryland, is planning a Memorial Day go to to Denali earlier than reducing again on journey.

“We are going to do a trip to Denali. So, it’s early in the season, but we’re so excited,” she mentioned.

She mentioned it’s her final journey for some time.

“The gas has been a shock and we’re feeling it,” she mentioned. “I think after this trip, we’re probably going to stay local in Anchorage for the summertime.”

Tourists are additionally noticing the excessive gas prices. Tony Broussard, visiting from Florida, mentioned he was shocked by Alaska’s gasoline costs.

“I would have maybe thought, because I’m originally from Louisiana, and, you know, in oil production areas, you’d think would be a little… less,” Broussard mentioned.

The Alaska common as of Monday is $5.29 per gallon, slightly below $2 increased than final 12 months, according to AAA.

“I think the gas prices is definitely something that I will consider when we’re doing trips,” Alli mentioned.

Despite the excessive prices, many plan to benefit from it.

“There’s plenty of things and hiking to do in the area, but definitely is painful to fill up my car,” Alli mentioned.

“And you know, gas prices are $5.19 a gallon now we’re staying put. But when you’ve got a beautiful lake and we go birding all the time,” Podgorski mentioned. “We have our binocs, our camera, we’re ready to go.”

“We’re just enjoying the day,” Broussard mentioned.

With summer time approaching, the query for a lot of drivers isn’t simply how a lot it prices to refill. It’s how for much longer it’ll keep this manner.

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