Drivers fueling up for big travel weekend

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – As we head into Memorial Day weekend, gas prices are up from this time last week. But AAA says Indiana has seen one of the biggest drops in the country over the past year.

Nearly 90 percent of travelers this weekend will be driving to their destination and that’s because gas prices are still so much cheaper than last year. Indiana made AAA’s top ten list for the biggest drop in gas prices. Indiana’s average price per gallon is $2.65, which is down $1.12 from last year. That’s the eighth largest decrease in the country.

The nationwide average is $2.73 per gallon. While prices have been surging over the past few weeks, they’re still nearly a dollar cheaper than last year.

That’s part of the reason AAA expects to see the highest number of travelers since 2005. People can finally afford to pay for the gas, to take that quick weekend road trip.

More than 37 million people are expected to travel between now and Monday.

Indiana State Police will be out making sure drivers are staying safe. They’re already warning troopers will be looking for travelers speeding and tailgating, driving drunk or not wearing their seat belt.

If you’re headed out of Indy this weekend, you should also plan ahead for extra Indy 500 traffic. Thousands of people will be in town and INDOT is already encouraging drivers to avoid I-65 and I-465 on the west side on Sunday.