March 28, 2017 – AAA is projecting the national average price for a gallon of gasoline will increase 40 cents this summer, peaking near $2.70. The South Dakota average could top out at near $2.75, AAA reports.

A new AAA survey reveals that more than 70 percent of consumers say they would make everyday lifestyle changes if pump prices rise that much. The top five changes drivers say they’d make include:

• Combine errands and trips
• Drive less
• Reduce shopping and dining out
• Delay major purchases
• Carpool

However, not everyone will jump to make changes. The survey found that younger Americans (18-34) are more tolerant of higher prices and less likely to change their habits than older drivers (35+).

“The good news is people are still planning to hit the road,” said Marilyn Buskohl, spokeswoman for AAA South Dakota. “Nearly 80 percent of family travelers say they are planning a road trip this year.” 

AAA predicts that during April, gasoline prices will begin to climb as the industry wraps up spring maintenance and completes the switchover to producing summer-blends of gasoline.

This report presents the findings of a telephone survey conducted among two national probability samples (landline only and cell phone), which, when combined, consists of 1,017 adults, 510 men and 507 women, 18 years of age and older, living in the continental United States. Interviewing for this survey was completed on February 2-5, 2017. 517 interviews were from the landline sample and 500 interviews from the cell phone sample. This study has an average statistical error of ±3.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence level for all U.S. adults.

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AAA is North America’s largest motoring, leisure travel and safety advocacy organization with more than 56 million members. A not-for-profit, fully tax-paying organization, AAA South Dakota provides its nearly 96,000 South Dakota members with emergency roadside assistance and auto travel services. Plus, the auto club offers members and the general public a wide range of personal insurance, worldwide travel and financial services at branch offices across South Dakota and online at AAA.com.

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