Western Washington drivers are skipping out on Memorial Day journey amid excessive fuel costs

SEATTLE — Gas costs are near their highest degree in 4 years as thousands and thousands of Americans put together to hit the highway this Memorial Day weekend.

The nationwide common for a gallon of fuel hit $4.55 Friday, in the meantime Washingtonians are paying roughly $5.78/per gallon on common, according to AAA.

Despite the rising gas costs, AAA is anticipating roughly $39 million folks to journey by automobile over the vacation weekend, which might exceed final 12 months’s complete.

Many native drivers, nonetheless, informed KOMO News they’re ditching the weekend journey this 12 months.

“When I was younger, every weekend was a holiday weekend, right?” mentioned Tim Bonner of West Seattle. “Not so much anymore.”

Latonya Easterlin and her sister from Puyallup usually spend Memorial Day weekend in Florida with different household, however this 12 months they’ve as an alternative traded the cross-country journey for a go to to Alki Beach in West Seattle.

“This is a good place for people to come, especially for the 4th of July and Memorial Day,” Easterlin mentioned. “Our family was thinking about coming down here.”

For others selecting to remain dwelling, a number of enjoyable choices will be discovered all through the Puget Sound area.

People can benefit from the Northwest Folklife Festival on the Seattle Center, which options dance and music performances, artwork displays, meals, and extra. The competition runs Friday, May 22, by Monday, May 25.

Saturday marks opening day for the fiftieth and last season at Wild Waves Theme and Water Park in Federal Way. Throughout Memorial Day weekend, Active Duty and retired U.S. Military members are supplied particular $29.99 admission on the gate.

In Tacoma, the Banana Ball World Tour will make a three-day cease at Cheney Stadium Friday-Sunday. The Party Animals will face off with the Indianapolis Clowns for 3 video games.

As for Monday, Memorial Day ceremonies are deliberate in a number of completely different cities.

• Lynnwood: 11 a.m. at Veterans Park
• Tacoma: 11 a.m. at War Memorial Park
• Olympia: 11 a.m. on the State Capitol Building
• Seattle: 10 a.m. at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home and Cemetery