Pain at the pump? AAA says Labor Day gas prices set for record high

Travelers hitting U.S. roads for Labor Day weekend are set to feel pain at the pump, with gas prices at a record high for this time of year, according to AAA.

According to a news release from AAA, the national average price per gallon of gas sits at $4.14 on Sept. 3. That price is a four-cent increase compared to a month ago and an almost a dollar increase compared to a year ago.

The current Labor Day record is $3.82, set on Sept. 3, 2012. AAA noted that the national average has never been above $4 on the holiday.

"Even though gasoline demand decreases this time of year, typically bringing down gas prices, this year is different due to the high cost of crude oil," AAA said.

Despite the increase in gas prices, Vice President JD Vance said he couldn’t predict when average gas prices would fall below $3 per gallon in comments to reporters at the White House.

"We’re talking about things that are inherently unpredictable," Vance said. "Gas, frankly, could have been much, much higher were it not for our efforts. But I’m not going to make a promise about when it’s going to return to $3."

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/travel/