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The national average is $2.67 per gallon, which is $1.17 lower than last year's Memorial Day. In Connecticut, today's state average of $2.87 per gallon is $1.05 cheaper than Memorial Day 2014.
The lower gas prices and improved economy may also be the reason why Memorial Day travel is expected to increase as well, with the highest volume of travelers since 2005 predicted for this weekend.
An estimated 37.2 million Americans -- a 4.7 percent increase over last year -- will travel 50 miles or more between May 21 and 25, in what AAA considers the highest travel volume for the holiday in 10 years.
Of the 37.2 million travelers, 89 percent or 33 million, a 5.3 percent increase, will drive to a destination; 7 percent or 2.6 million, a 2.5 percent increase will fly; and 4 percent or 1.6 million, a decrease of 3.6 percent, will travel by some other mode of transportation, including cruises, trains, and buses.
Despite lower gas prices this year, travelers will encounter higher daily car rental and lodging costs this year. Average daily car rental rates are about $19 higher than last year; and average nightly stays in a Two Diamond hotel are about 16 percent higher at $144 a night.
On the other hand, average airfares for the top 40 domestic flight routes are 2 percent cheaper this year.
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