Gas prices are a ‘major factor’ in summer vacation plans, poll finds

With inflation the highest in four decades, cost concerns dominate considerations about traveling this summer. About 6 in 10 Americans, 61 percent, say gas prices are a “major factor” in making their summer vacation plans. A 54 percent majority say hotel or lodging prices are playing a major factor in their plans, and 52 percent say the same about flight prices.

Of the 72 percent of Americans who say they will “definitely” or “probably” go away on a summer trip, more than three-quarters expect at least some of their travel to be by car. Half plan to take a flight to get to their vacation destinations, according to the survey of 1,055 adults nationwide, conducted by The Post and George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government.

According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of gas has set a record every day since May 10. On Wednesday, the national average was $4.59 — and the organization questions whether prices have “nowhere to go but up.”

Year over year, airfare went up 33 percent in April, while lodging prices rose more than 22 percent, according to an index of travel prices compiled by the U.S. Travel Association.

For MaríaVerónica Garibay, a project manager at a virtual events company in Chicago, those increases — combined with broader inflation — means making careful decisions before and during her planned vacations to Pittsburgh in July and Palm Springs in September.

“I’ve been finding myself trying to use digital coupons,” she said.

She will stay with a friend on her Pittsburgh trip and booked an Airbnb far in advance for a friend’s bachelorette party in Palm Springs.