Milwaukee Drivers Face Higher Gas Prices This Labor Day Weekend
MILWAUKEE — As Labor Day weekend approaches, Milwaukee drivers are divided between taking one last summer getaway and staying close to home due to soaring gas prices.
Meauto Perryman, originally from Mississippi, expressed her disappointment over not being able to visit family this year. “I would’ve loved to have been with my real family, but I can’t go because gas is too high,” she shared. Instead, she’s planning a relaxed holiday in Milwaukee, barbecuing and inviting friends over.
Recent data from GasBuddy shows that gas prices in the Milwaukee area average about $3.72 per gallon, down 5.7 cents from the previous week. However, that’s a significant increase compared to last year’s average of $2.99 per gallon in Wisconsin. Nationally, GasBuddy predicts that gas prices will peak at $4.03 per gallon over the holiday weekend, marking an 87-cent increase from last year, and the highest recorded for Labor Day.
Travelers are facing not just high fuel prices but also increased costs for airfare and hotels. Maria Ruvalcaba, reflecting on her trip to Utah earlier this year, noted, “The price of tickets went up so high when the price of gas was so high. I think everyone’s feeling it right now.”
Many residents, like Ruvalcaba, are opting for simple plans this holiday. “Just enjoy the last weekend of summer. I’m sad summer’s ending,” she said. Sol Miller is also keeping it low-key, planning to barbecue and relax with family.
GasBuddy attributes the fluctuating gas prices to disruptions in global oil markets but anticipates some seasonal relief as gasoline demand decreases and cheaper winter-blend fuel becomes available after mid-September.
For those venturing out this weekend, INRIX warns that the busiest travel period will be between 2 and 5 p.m. on Labor Day. AAA advises travelers to leave early and allocate extra time for their journeys.
This piece was reported on-air and later adapted into a digital format with assistance from AI, with all reporting verified for fairness and accuracy. For more updates, monitor TMJ4, available for streaming on platforms like Roku and Apple TV.
