As the Memorial Day weekend approaches, residents of Barnegat-Manahawkin, New Jersey, are gearing up for travel despite high gas prices. The average cost of regular gas in the area is $4.47 per gallon, with the lowest prices recorded at $4.45 at both Sunoco and Costco. This increase in fuel costs means that a 500-mile round trip would cost about $89, which is $26 more than last year’s average of $3.17 per gallon. Nationally, AAA predicts that 39.1 million people will travel by car during the holiday weekend. However, many families are adjusting their travel plans due to rising gas prices. A survey by Bank of America found that about 30% of respondents stated that higher gas prices would not alter their travel plans, while others indicated they would opt for closer destinations or reduce travel expenses. Additionally, a survey from Intuit Credit Karma revealed that rising gas prices are leading some households to sacrifice family visits and vacations, with 32% of Americans predicting that staycations will dominate summer travel trends.