It’s a good thing the unemployment rate is in decline, because celebrating the country’s birthday just got more expensive.
This year, over 40 million Americans will be traveling at least 50 miles to celebrate the Fourth of July. With the average price of gas currently at 3.69, up 20 cents from one year ago, the journey will hit drivers hard. According to AAA, this holiday will be the most expensive for drivers since 2008.
Add that the cost of barbecue foods and beer are all up since last year and party planning becomes more costly.
But worry not — hot dogs are cheaper than this time last year, as are soda and chips, so at least the kids will have something to celebrate.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- Column: Tyre Nichols' Killing Is The Result of a Diseased Culture
- Without Evusheld, Immunocompromised People Are on Their Own Against COVID-19
- Here Are All the Movies and TV Shows That Make Up the New DCU
- TikTok's 'De-Influencing' Trend Is Here to Tell You What Stuff You Don't Need to Buy
- Column: America Goes About Juvenile Crime Sentencing All Wrong
- Why Your Tax Refund May Be Lower This Year
- Brazil Wants to Abandon a 34,000-Ton Ship at Sea. It Would be an Environmental Disaster
- The 5 Best New TV Shows Our Critic Watched in January 2023
