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Less of us driving this weekend

Chris Graham

Item by Chris Graham
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Less of us Virginia types will be traveling long distances this Fourth of July holiday. Big surprise, right, given gas prices topping out around $4 a gallon?

“Fewer Virginians will be traveling this July 4th holiday due to soaring gas prices, higher airfares coupled with fewer flights and seats, and general concerns about the economy,” AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson Windy VanCuren said.

More than 1 million Virginians will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday weekend, AAA projects. That’s a decrease of 3 percent from the July 4th weekend in 2007.

The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded in Virginia is $3.98 as of this morning. It was $2.82 a gallon a year ago.

“Despite the decrease, however, a significant number of Virginians will still travel this holiday. Over 13 percent of the Commonwealth’s population will be celebrating the July 4th holiday away from home,” Van Curen said.

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].