Americans’ domestic and international trips likely won’t be massively curtailed by higher gasoline prices this summer, analysts have said. Though some would-be tourists may make some subtle changes in how they travel.The war with Iran, initiated by President Donald Trump on Feb. 28 in tandem with Israel, has had wide-reaching effects beyond just the Persian Gulf conflict itself. One of the most noticeable side effects from the war has been an enormous spike in energy prices — a barrel of oil has shot up above $100, and gas prices have risen to uncomfortable levels.
In January, before the war, average gas prices in the U.S. reached as low as $2.78 per gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. As of early May, they have punched up to $4.45 per gallon, a 60% increase. That means it’s more expensive not only to fuel up a car for a road trip, but also to buy a flight ticket, as airlines pass along higher fuel costs.
Still, even if gas prices remain high this summer, industry experts who spoke with the Washington Examiner didn’t seem to think that summer travel would take a big hit, which could be good news politically for Trump and congressional Republicans, with the Nov. 3 midterm elections looking ominous a bit under six months out.
