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Many families say they plan to do less traveling this summer because gas costs too much. But some older, retired Americans say while they hope gas prices go down, they still plan to hit the road.
Carol Sue Long and her husband are on their way to visit grandchildren in Georgia and they wont let record high gas prices get in the way. They say Chattanooga's average price of $3.55 is a bargain, compared to Iowa.
Long, "It's $3.79 in the midwest. We started paying attention at 3 dollars but it's our recreation. We're getting old we may not live that much longer."
Gordon Stoff believes gas prices will go well above $4 a gallon everywhere. While it's painful to pay that much, he says he hopes it will force America to become energy independent.
Stoff, "There hasn't been any incentive over the last 20 or 30 years for people to do something other than what we've been doing which is a gasoline economy."
The national average has already hit $3.70 per gallon. A Conoco station in Chattanooga is almost there, charging $3.69 for regular unleaded. But many other stations in the city and in North GA average $3.55. AAA expects prices to keep rising.
Gordon Stoff, "Five dollar gasoline will encourage alternate uses, we just have to get used to the fact that we're going to pay more for gasoline, nobody wants to pay more for anything but that's the way it is."
The Barron family from Kentucky says current gas prices have already changed their habits. Four to five dollar a gallon gas would mean even less travel and no eating out.
Barron Family, "This year we'll probably stay close to home, we're going to Atlanta, GA, this trip is paid for but gas prices are putting a dent in things."
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