Despite recent increases, gasoline prices are expected to be lower for Memorial Day weekend this year than they have been in 10 years.

The average price of unleaded gas this week in Butler County is $2.89 per gallon, up about 10 cents from the previous week, according to a news release from AAA East Central.

Prices in the region hit a low point in February when gas was $2.25 a gallon, said Chelsea Pompeani, spokesman for AAA East Central.

For Memorial Day weekend in 2014, gas was about $3.82 in Western Pennsylvania.

Because of relatively low prices now, AAA anticipates 33 million people across the country will be traveling for the holiday weekend, a 5.3 percent increase over last year and a 10-year high.

“Even though the national average right now is the highest it’s been all year, it’s still significantly lower than this time last year, and more people are taking advantage of the low fuel price to drive to their destinations,” Pompeani said.

Slowing U.S. production, a weakening U.S. dollar and speculation of demand growth from China have contributed to a recent rise in the price of crude oil, though there is still an oversupply on the global market, according to AAA East Central.

Gasbuddy.com also predicts that a lot of Americans will be taking road trips this summer.

A recent survey conducted by the company found that 73 percent of people will be traveling between Memorial Day and Labor Day, most of whom will be going by car. Memorial Day weekend is the most popular weekend for traveling edging out July 4 and Labor Day weekend.

The average price of gas for an area often depends on the type of gas station that is available, said Jeff Pelton, senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy.

Butler County may occasionally have a higher average price than surrounding areas because it does not have many “low-value fuel providers,” Pelton said.

Low-value providers “will often have low retail fuel prices to drive consumers inside (the store) where merchandise margins run much higher,” Pelton said.

When prices drop, gas stations sell more gas, but people also save money, which they spend elsewhere, he said.

E-commerce and the restaurant industry benefitted the most from increased consumer spending when gas prices decreased, according to a 2014 study done by Cardlytics.

Several Butler-area people said that gas prices do effect their lifestyle to an extent.

Noah Kalnas of Center Township said he and several friends are planning a cross-country road trip this summer. The date of their departure depends on the gas prices, he said.

“We’re going to wait until gas prices are lower, and then we’re just going to fill up and go,” he said.

Elaine Foguth of Center Township said a lot of driving is unavoidable, but lower gas prices can create more affordable vacations.

“Gas price definitely helps me determine how far I’m going to drive for vacations,” she said.

Mark Miller of Butler said it was a relief to be paying less for gas when it hit its low point during the winter.

“It seemed like it was half price for a while,” he said.

“Over $3 is getting kind of crazy; $4 is ridiculous.”

Lisa Birckbichler of Butler said she drives a fuel-efficient car, which makes fluctuations in gas price not as hard-hitting.

“If I’m going to go somewhere, I’m going to go there regardless,” she said.

PAY AT PUMP

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Here are the monthly average prices of a gallon of gas in Western Pennsylvania for 2015, according to AAA East Central:

January: $2.56

February: $2.25

March: $2.50

April: $2.56

May: $2.85