Rhode Island’s average gas price is up five cents from last week, averaging $2.93 per gallon. Monday’s price is 17 cents higher than a month ago and 99 cents higher than May 17, 2020. Rhode Island’s average gas price is 11 cents lower than the national average.

 AAA forecasts 34 million Americans to take a road trip 50 miles or more from home Memorial Day weekend to celebrate the unofficial kickoff to summer. That is a 52% increase compared to last summer, but nearly 9% below pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Regardless, motorists will be met with the most expensive gas prices since 2014.

 “This is going to be an expensive summer for motorists. However, we do not expect it to deter travelers from hitting the road. AAA finds that despite the higher pump prices, Americans still take their road trips but just may not travel as far as originally planned or go to their planned destination and spend a little less,” said Lloyd Albert, Senior Vice President of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Northeast.

AAA Northeast’s May 17 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 8 cents higher than last week, averaging $3.04 a gallon.