Record high gas for Labor Day weekend

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Gas prices jumped to a record high Thursday in part because of Hurricane Isaac and just as Labor Day weekend approaches.

On Wednesday we saw the largest one day jump in gas prices in 18 months.

Refineries and rigs shut down in the Gulf of Mexico as a precautionary measure against Hurricane Isaac.

The good news is the initial assessments don't show any permanent damage.

The bad news, however, the pain at the pump is already done at a busy time of year for drivers.

Karen Woodland and her family are visiting Western Massachusetts,“We consider Labor Day the end of summer and this is our last chance to do something fun before the school year starts. This is our last chance to get out here to Six Flags.”

AAA predicts 33 million Americans will be traveling 50 miles or more away from home this long weekend. That's up 3% from last year. But gas prices are also up to a record high.

Sandra Marsian, VP of Marketing and Public Relations for AAA Pioneer Valley said, “Typically the gas prices haven't been known to impact travel too much in the past couple of years, because I think people have just accepted that's what they are and they have to budget accordingly.”

But the unknown has some unsure this Labor Day weekend. “Every time that we wake up the price is going up so we are not really sure so it's difficult to plan ahead,” said Denise Yonda of Springfield.

If you are planning to fuel up for your long weekend, analysts say it's better to fill up now rather than later because gas prices are only expected to go up.

Gas prices have gone up about 40 cents nationally since the low on July 2nd.

According to AAA, gas prices are about 17 cents higher per gallon this year compared to last year but AFTER the holiday weekend, analysts say gas prices should go down.