Will gas prices affect travelers?

An estimated 2 million people pass through Idaho Falls each year on their way to Yellowstone, and even with higher than normal gas prices, that number isn’t projected to decline.

“I’m still going to travel the same, it’s just going to cost a little more, so I need to factor that in I guess,” said frequent traveler Jared Hatch.

Idaho gas prices have risen 5.6 cents per gallon in the past week, making today’s average $3.14.

Just because the numbers rise, it doesn’t mean our tourism will fall.

“I think we’re going to be okay through the summer, I don’t think it’s going to have a significant impact on our travelers,” said Chief Executive Officer of Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce Chip Schwarze.

It may have something to do with the fact that we have a lot to offer for travelers.

“In two hours you could be in Yellowstone park you could be in Jackson Hole or Grand Teton park. Three-hour drive you can be in Sun Valley, there are just so many good places to go…lots of reasons to get in your car, fill up the tank and come,” Schwarze said.

Gas stations themselves aren’t seeing any shortage of traffic inside their convenience stores.

“It hasn’t really hindered anyone from getting gas, they come in and get sandwiches,” Shaka’s store manager Austin Walker said.

The price of gas is not preventing tourist or locals from changing their plans.

“They haven’t gone up enough to really affect anything we do,” said frequent traveler, Sean Gordon.

“It’s not affecting my plans so far, I guess we’ll see what it does to my bank account afterward, but at this point no,” Hatch said.

You can always check out the lowest gas prices in your area here.