After a long winter, residents across the region are ready for the unofficial start to the summer season — Memorial Day weekend. AAA Mid-Atlantic estimates a record number of people will be traveling over the holiday period — between Thursday, May 24 and Monday, May 28.

Memorial Day travel volume in the Philadelphia region this year could be at its highest level since 2005. It is the fourth year of travel growth over the period, writes Donna Rovins in The Times Herald.

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The average price per gallon of gas Monday in the five-county Philadelphia region was $3.10, compared with $2.61 per gallon for the same period last year. In 2014, the price of gas per gallon for the same period was $3.73.

Across the region, the price per gallon on Monday ranged from $2.89 in Delaware to $2.92 in South Jersey and $2.99 in other parts of New Jersey. Nationally, the average price per gallon of gas was $2.93 on May 21.

Miller said there are a number of factors driving the gas price increases.

“The price of oil is higher than it was one year ago, by about $20 per gallon. In addition, OPEC has been cutting production. There has been a smaller supply but a higher demand,” she said.

In addition, the annual addition of summer gasoline blends cost more to produce.

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