The Car Coach®, Lauren Fix joins the Weather Channel with ways to protect your vehicle and its paint job. Learn how to keep your car clean and tips for paint protection during the heat this summer.

At $2.25, the national gas price average is just one cent cheaper than a week ago, five cents less than a month ago and four cents more than a year ago. Nationwide, last week did not see record demand, but was close to all-time high levels and continues to keep pace with summer 2016 levels.  According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline stocks dropped 1.6 million bbl on the week. That figure brings national levels to 235.7 million bbl, which is approximately 4 million bbl below this time last year.

 “As we hit the middle of the summer season, consumers can still fill up for $2.25/gallon or less at 62% of gas stations in the country,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “If, however, demand keeps pace and stocks continue to draw down at sizable levels, gas prices are likely to increase this month into next. So now is a good time to take a road trip.”
On the week, only nine states saw gas prices increase: Missouri (+5 cents), Georgia (+4 cents), South Carolina (+2 cents), Tennessee (+2 cent), Louisiana (+1 cent), Maine (+1 cent), Washington, D.C. (+1 cent), Alabama (+1 cent) and Mississippi (+1 cent)

Focus on Safety

Summer Driving Tips

Of the many great things about summertime, few match the fun of a family road trip. Before you hook up that new boat or camper, or hit the road with your family or friends in your car, SUV, pickup, or RV, take the time to review these summer travel safety tips. Prevention and planning may take a little time up front, but will spare you from dealing with the consequences of a breakdown—or worse yet, a highway crash—later.

Before You Go

Get Your Car Serviced

Regular maintenance such as tune-ups, oil changes, battery checks, and tire rotations go a long way toward preventing breakdowns. If your vehicle has been serviced according to the manufacturer's recommendations, it should be in good condition to travel. If not—or you don't know the service history of the vehicle you plan to drive—schedule a preventive maintenance checkup with your mechanic right away.

Heading into Memorial Day weekend, gas prices are increasing for the first time in four weeks. Today’s national average is $2.36/gallon – two cents more than a week ago, six cents less than a month ago, but eight cents more than a year ago. The increases are likely the result of rising demand and crude oil prices. At least 36 states saw price increases on the week, with national gasoline inventories dropping by 400,000 bbl to 240.7 million.

AAA projects that more than 34 million Americans are planning to take a road trip this Memorial Day weekend– which is 800,000 more drivers than last year. The rise in road travel could pressure pump prices to continue to increase into the summer months, potentially returning to the higher national averages seen in April.

Here's what you can be doing today to make sure that your car is ready to hit the highway for travel on Memorial Day weekend with The Car Coach, Lauren Fix.