Published: June 05, 2009 09:41 am      

Rising gas prices could impact summer vacations

In West Virginia, the average price Thursday for a gallon of regular gasoline was $2.66, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge. Across the state line in Virginia, the average price was $2.42. Neighboring Ohio had an average of $2.70 a gallon while to the north, Pennsylvania had $2.56 a gallon.

Locally, regular gasoline was selling for a $2.59 in Princeton and Bluefield, and for $2.49 in Bluefield, Va. and in Grundy, Va. The average price was $2.44 at Tazewell, Va.

According to AAA, factors outside the country are contributing to higher fuel prices, said Laura Gooch of the Bluefield AAA. Electronic trading for oil has increased as investors see what they believe to be increased signs of economic activity, particularly in Asia.

“What we are seeing here is not what U.S. buyers are doing to the market. It has to do with the global economy,” she said.

With higher gasoline prices, consumers looking to go on vacation will want to look at their travel plans and look for “travel bargains,” Gooch said.

“I think if we have our mind set on going to XYZ destinations, if they just look there might be vacation opportunities and reasonable prices in areas we didn’t know about,” she said. Air fares to certain destinations have been going down along with rates for cruises.

One way to ensure getting the most gas mileage is to make sure your vehicle is in good running order, Gooch said.

“It’s just normal maintenance, making sure your car is tuned up and get an oil change, and making sure your tires do not have too low or too much air,” she said. Adhering to speed limits and keeping safe distances between vehicles while driving are among the factors that help improve mileage.

— Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com