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Americans take to road but cautious after gas shock

Reuters -- GRAPEVINE, Texas (Reuters) - Robert Neal will take to the road this Independence Day holiday the same as millions of other Americans. But there's a difference in their road-trip ritual this Fourth of July.

The price of gasoline, while down sharply from last year's peak, means the 74-year-old owner of a motor home may not venture as far as he has in the past.

Standing in shorts and sneakers outside his RV at a campground in Grapevine, a lakeside town near Dallas, Neal said he and his wife remained unsure where to go next. "The gas price as it is now, it's a maybe, maybe," he said.

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Submitted Jul 03, 2009 By: GM

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PathfinderSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:4,580 Points:861,685 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:16:43 PM Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse The gas came a little. They could be building us up for a fast let down. And it can come so fast.
vegaland Champion Author Houston Posts:2,403 Points:501,795 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:12:30 PM Ignore vegaland Report Abuse He should probably get rid of the RV or convert it to LNG.
Hugo40 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:2,758 Points:653,935 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:12:24 PM Ignore Hugo40 Report Abuse It pays to be cautious now, it may end up costing more to get back home than it did to leave on a vacation. Prices can jump overnight as we all know.
balljars Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,658 Points:726,250 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:11:19 PM Ignore balljars Report Abuse I am staying home this Holiday weekend.
BartBuzz Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,943 Points:810,985 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:11:08 PM Ignore BartBuzz Report Abuse I'll be spending the day with my daughter. She lives 0.9 miles away.
DeHavilland Champion Author Toronto Posts:3,214 Points:1,007,920 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:09:54 PM Ignore DeHavilland Report Abuse Everybody's cautious these days.
eagleeye2008 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:4,028 Points:764,165 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:06:49 PM Ignore eagleeye2008 Report Abuse SMOKE UP THE BACK YARD ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE NEIGHBORS !!! HAVE FUN,STAY OFF THAT CRAZY ROAD AND KEEP ON CONSERVING FOLKS !!!! HAPPY 4th. OF JULY WEEKEND !!!!!
ShadowACE Champion Author Boston Posts:3,983 Points:1,175,345 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:06:02 PM Ignore ShadowACE Report Abuse threewheeler - All-Star Author -- couldn't find an original thought??? If you're going to copy/paste someone else's (ccycles) post, you might at least correct the typo... {change "what a..." to "what"} "let's do what a Americans do...let's drive somewhere and complain about the price of gas." [Edited by: ShadowACE at 7/3/2009 3:06:18 PM EST]
arvo87 Champion Author New Mexico Posts:2,940 Points:584,615 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:02:41 PM Ignore arvo87 Report Abuse we decided to stay at home this year for the 4th
CptnCanada Champion Author Saskatoon Posts:2,769 Points:415,025 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:01:44 PM Ignore CptnCanada Report Abuse Who can afford the fuel to go far? With the spread between a barrel and a gallon increasing...
72_Monte Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,835 Points:1,026,705 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:01:39 PM Ignore 72_Monte Report Abuse Hey, I'm not raising my gas use until the economy betters...or I win the lottery. I for sh*t-sure ain't gonna hold my breath!
ShadowACE Champion Author Boston Posts:3,983 Points:1,175,345 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:00:23 PM Ignore ShadowACE Report Abuse lgwhitlock says, "I would hate to travel in an RV at this point considering that they don't usually get very good mileage." I think 8-10 MPG is pretty good for a 4-room house!
kyrunner Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,941 Points:727,660 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:58:17 PM Ignore kyrunner Report Abuse Anyone who can travel this summer sure had better do it. After the "Cap and Tax" bill passes later this year last summers $4.00 prices will seem like a real bargain. Enjoy the mid $2.00 gas while you can. I sure hope a bunch of strong willed Americans will join with me and finally get off their collective as*es and write/call your Senators to advise them a vote for this huge new federal tax is a sure ticket to early retirement in 2010 or their next election cycle.
pictureman Champion Author Miami Posts:1,102 Points:1,101,030 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:57:16 PM Ignore pictureman Report Abuse I was going to NC for a Poet's Bash for SeniorFriendFinder but cancelled because I caught a darn cold and I am still coughing after 17 days!
Cyberkedi Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,313 Points:1,571,485 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:56:00 PM Ignore Cyberkedi Report Abuse I am thankful that gas is not nearly as spendy as it was a year ago, when I drove from Atlanta to Denver!
CISA Champion Author Orange County Posts:2,124 Points:679,195 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:52:06 PM Ignore CISA Report Abuse If you think gas prices are high now, wait until BO's cap and trade bill passes!
Panama Red Champion Author San Diego Posts:6,201 Points:1,556,065 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:51:06 PM Ignore Panama Red Report Abuse I'm staying close to home for the Independence Day holiday weekend.
lgwhitlock Champion Author Chico Posts:2,844 Points:726,200 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:50:37 PM Ignore lgwhitlock Report Abuse I would hate to travel in an RV at this point considering that they don't usually get very good mileage. For me and my wife it will be tent camping from our car which gets good mileage...
pokey469 Champion Author Hamilton Posts:1,134 Points:262,165 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:49:28 PM Ignore pokey469 Report Abuse What a waste of a good RV.
Yonkers111 Champion Author Scranton Posts:6,328 Points:536,820 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:44:23 PM Ignore Yonkers111 Report Abuse What an idiot. The guy owns a $100,000 RV and won't put gas in it because it's a few cents higher than he wants. What an idiot.
LocalSpyGuy Champion Author Tampa Posts:2,950 Points:616,295 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:42:42 PM Ignore LocalSpyGuy Report Abuse I will be staying close to home this holiday.
ponymom Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,702 Points:332,340 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:42:41 PM Ignore ponymom Report Abuse I am not going anywhere this holiday weekend.
PithyOpiner Champion Author Stockton Posts:6,944 Points:713,880 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:41:10 PM Ignore PithyOpiner Report Abuse Well, Mr Neal, instead of hitting the open road this 4th, why not read a book or mow your lawn. Pull all the weeds from your garden and in your yard. Do something constructive instead of burning rug indiscriminately.
milespergallon Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,008 Points:1,051,620 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:37:54 PM Ignore milespergallon Report Abuse Yep, I took to the road. All the way to public transportation and then I walked, alot! Hang it up news media. WE ain't giving in or giving up. Let the whole petroleum industry fall! Especially the sand stompers! We could sell them bushels of grain for about $140.00 to $150.00 for a while and recover beautifully!
micpie Veteran Author Oregon Posts:465 Points:116,965 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:36:31 PM Ignore micpie Report Abuse staying close to home - almost no driving!
Cheepo Champion Author Tampa Posts:5,089 Points:2,182,115 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:36:14 PM Ignore Cheepo Report Abuse Bravo, Dale Jr!!!
JoeKR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,990 Points:1,112,125 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:35:43 PM Ignore JoeKR Report Abuse Less drivers, probably due to the economy, but I hope there are enough who remember last year and stay close to home to send the message to Big Oil and OPEC.
RAC110 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,368 Points:1,165,910 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:29:24 PM Ignore RAC110 Report Abuse with all the credit card companies saying people are buying gas in huge amounts for the holiday the surplus will go down quite a bit if the news is the truth which will show us the economy is not as bad as some people think it is because if you do not have money you can not spend it .
Dale Jr. Champion Author Illinois Posts:11,301 Points:2,262,575 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:29:07 PM Ignore Dale Jr. Report Abuse I am already on the road and enjoying my vacation.
billsandi Champion Author Lexington Posts:7,572 Points:1,408,225 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:19:26 PM Ignore billsandi Report Abuse Today's gas price is no less than last years if one factors in those who don't have a job. (Source: NBC news.)
krell58 Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,792 Points:1,143,705 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:15:32 PM Ignore krell58 Report Abuse He needs to use gasification.Gasification
Ken2OD Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:4,108 Points:1,001,460 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:15:17 PM Ignore Ken2OD Report Abuse We have stopped all out of town travel unless it is a family gathering either in the Detroit area or the South Bend area. That has been our normal routine for the past 5 or 6 years. Besides, we have major road construction all around our neighborhood. We are in Phase 2 of a 2-yr. major thoroughfare reconstruction. We have to detour every time we leave the house. [Edited by: Ken2OD at 7/3/2009 2:20:41 PM EST]
Cuzilla Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:8,824 Points:1,553,140 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:15:05 PM Ignore Cuzilla Report Abuse I can afford it but I'm not going to go anywhere.
fizbos Champion Author Maine Posts:2,092 Points:1,037,660 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:11:19 PM Ignore fizbos Report Abuse Not going anywhere this weekend.
threewheeler Champion Author Seattle Posts:2,315 Points:287,510 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:09:16 PM Ignore threewheeler Report Abuse let's do what a Americans do...let's drive somewhere and complain about the price of gas.
day49 All-Star Author Washington Posts:932 Points:716,190 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:05:00 PM Ignore day49 Report Abuse Not going anywhere this holiday. Not just because of the cost of gas. Mainly due to the traffic and all the problems it brings. Road rage, unsafe and tired drivers. Nothing something I chose to be around. If I travel, I do. But, I try not to do it on a Holiday weekend.
Focus2 Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,025 Points:1,215,275 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:02:42 PM Ignore Focus2 Report Abuse Greed brought the refineries to thinking, why not keep most of the savings from cheaper crude. they tacked on almost a dollar that should have been ours at the pump. Price should be $2 or under based on their cost of crude. Triple A told us it was about bigger profit margins last December. Their strategy was, it will still be cheaper than last year and people at the pump will be happy too. So, if it makes you feel better to travel and pay the refineries a premium, while they tell you what a bargain you are getting based on the past, then happy vacation!
bluebird1 Champion Author Toronto Posts:10,737 Points:2,148,245 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:53:10 PM Ignore bluebird1 Report Abuse If you've already got the RV & some cash, now is the time to go somewhere. Gas is artificially low in the US (or maybe its artificially high here in Canada). Either way, still leaves it at $.96/L or $4.36+ / gal Cdn here. Also, being in city area of Toronto, gas has been 3-4 cents/L more than rural areas around it- only reason could be gouging, as city is a distribution point to the country area can't be extra costs. So go for it, if in Texas maybe head for the Mexican border for cheap gas...or maybe not with the violence down there now.
Eichhornchen Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,738 Points:534,935 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:46:00 PM Ignore Eichhornchen Report Abuse Things are not like they were last year, people without jobs won't be travelling that far if at all
Bud122CA Champion Author California Posts:2,985 Points:681,430 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:35:07 PM Ignore Bud122CA Report Abuse No jobs, more $$ for gas. how far will I go = O
weenerdog Champion Author Detroit Posts:4,938 Points:943,020 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:32:43 PM Ignore weenerdog Report Abuse gas is a lot cheaper than last year, but we are also a lot lighter in our 401k and IRA accounts than last year. If you don't have a job, you are not going to venture as far as last year either
snewwee Champion Author Detroit Posts:4,999 Points:1,016,055 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:30:01 PM Ignore snewwee Report Abuse The only thing that I am taking to the road (actually sidewalk because some fool driver ran over me and my bike as I was crossing a crosswalk two years ago and I'm still recovering) is my bike.
ccycles All-Star Author Missouri Posts:807 Points:637,570 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:28:29 PM Ignore ccycles Report Abuse let's do what a Americans do...let's drive somewhere and complain about the price of gas.
Rajah Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,717 Points:1,514,695 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:25:03 PM Ignore Rajah Report Abuse No plans to go more than 5 miles from home..
Iversonfan All-Star Author Richmond Posts:891 Points:61,580 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:23:04 PM Ignore Iversonfan Report Abuse not sure what i will be doing this weekend but rest assured i wont be driving far lol
hmin Rookie Author Orlando Posts:73 Points:14,535 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:22:29 PM Ignore hmin Report Abuse Time for a solar power RV haha.
OnEmptyMO Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,961 Points:630,870 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:21:49 PM Ignore OnEmptyMO Report Abuse Holiday weekends are a great time to STAY home.
sjl08203 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,089 Points:975,290 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:19:32 PM Ignore sjl08203 Report Abuse I am staying home.
nigelb Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,507 Points:529,440 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:17:17 PM Ignore nigelb Report Abuse Even when gas was cheap I rarely went anywhere on a holiday weekend - too much hassle with trafic.
UncleCurt Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:3,597 Points:557,985 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:16:14 PM Ignore UncleCurt Report Abuse Staying home too.
Tenshot All-Star Author Quad Cities Posts:610 Points:973,700 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:15:28 PM Ignore Tenshot Report Abuse Staying close to home
hamdriver Veteran Author Lansing Posts:423 Points:477,745 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:12:32 PM Ignore hamdriver Report Abuse WOOOHOOOO