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More Americans traveling for Labor Day; seeing lower gas prices

Posted at 11:37 AM, Aug 29, 2014
and last updated 2014-08-29 11:37:24-04

HOPKINS, Mich.– AAA says more Americans are hitting the road for Labor Day this year, the most since the recession in 2008.

And while we expected gas prices to be a little higher for the holiday weekend, experts say it’s not as bad as it could be.

“I think the big news here for Grand Rapids and West Michigan motorists is that this is the first year in the last three that gas prices have not surpassed $4 a gallon,” explained Patrick DeHaan, Senior Petroleum Analyst for GasBuddy.com.

GasBuddy.com reports  a gallon of regular gas for as high as $3.70 in parts of West Michigan, but already starting to fall.

“By September, we could be look at  prices in the $3.10’s and $3.20’s before going to $3.40’s,” he added.

At Hidden Ridge RV Resort in Hopkins, campers believe you don’t have to go far to enjoy the last unofficial weekend of summer.

“We love it. It’s great family time,” said Tami Melpolder. Her and her family are seasonal campers. But with a spacious RV and all the amenities of home, they’re hardly roughing it.

“We are kind of spoiled but we like it.”

Chad Neff with American RV says it’s a practical way to vacation, giving people the ability to do it well into the Fall.

“Once you get to where you’re at, the expenses are very economically.”

Hidden Ridge also has resorts in places like Florida and Arizona for the snow birds.

But if you’re already looking ahead to next year, they urge you to book your Memorial Day weekend as early as February.