Wichita, Kan.—
Drivers say it's the one thing you can count on before a holiday weekend - high gas prices. In Kansas, AAA predicts record Labor Day gas prices. In August, the price per gallon increased 27 cents a gallon. The Kansas average is $3.74 per gallon.
The travel organization says the spike is because of three factors. Crude oil costs, regional supply problems caused by refinery and pipeline disruptions and Gulf Coast refinery closures in advance of Hurricane Isaac are to blame. But drivers we talked with remain skeptical.
"They're just looking for an excuse," said driver Twila Medlock. "When Isaac came up that was their excuse. But the gas we're using has already been paid for."
"It seems like whomever is in charge, they're able to tie whatever is going on in the world to raise prices up and we're having to deal with it," said driver Thorin Guidry.
Guidry is traveling the United States on his motorcycle after serving overseas. He stopped in Wichita for gas Saturday and says prices in other parts of the country vary.
"Gas prices in the South have tended to be better," said Guidry. "In the Pacific Northwest, they were high. It just varies state to state and city to city."
Guidry says it's a shame because the high price of gas is impacting what people do this final summer holiday.
"It's almost cheaper to fly a family than it is to drive around America," said Guidry. "They're missing out on a lot. There are some pretty cool roadside attractions out there."
AAA does expect gas prices to drop later this month as some of the closed refineries reopen. Over the past five years, the average price of gas in September nationally is $3.07 a gallon.
