SPECIAL REPORT: The Toll of High Gas Prices on Salem-Keizer Residents, Businesses

Record high gas prices throughout the Oregon and the nation haven't slowed visitors to such attractions as the Oregon Garden and the Oregon Coast Aquarium, though the Travel Industry Association of America says current fuel costs adds $30 to $50 to a typical family vacation

Gas prices aren't keeping Oregonians home...yet anyway. Photo Courtesy: AAA.com

(SALEM) - With gas prices nearing or in some cases surpassing three dollars a gallon, Oregonians and visitors to the state are still finding extra money to enjoy area attractions.

In Salem the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas on Monday was at $2.88.9.

At the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, attendance so far this spring is up 13 percent. Aquarium President Dave Schmidt says he attributes the increase in attendance to people wanting to stay closer to home because of the gas prices.

On Memorial Day, the aquarium will begin a new exhibit called "CLAWS", which will feature lobsters, crabs, and shrimp from all over the world, including those found along the Oregon coast. The exhibit will educate visitors on just how important the crabbing industry is to the Oregon economy, Schmidt said.

Coastal restaurants, hotels and motel owners say the high gas prices have had little or no impact on business so far. However, officials at Spirit Mountain Casino, and Chinook Winds Casino said business this spring was up. In Silverton, attendance for last weekend`s 2ND Annual Blooms & Brew Brewfest at the Oregon Garden had a great turnout.

Although actual numbers were not yet available, officials said the warm, sunny weather helped and that gas prices are not deterring people from visiting the garden. Elliott Eki with AAA Oregon says vacationers are choosing to "get away" on shorter or weekend only trips because of the high fuel prices.

The Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) compared current gas prices to those of a year ago based on the typical U.S. driving vacation of 800 miles.

TIA says higher prices would add $30 to overall trip costs, and estimated that for larger vehicles and those towing a trailer or that are heavily loaded, the per-trip cost will go up $40 to $50. That equates to the price of a dinner for two and is not likely to significantly alter travel plans.

High gasoline prices historically cause Americans to make slight modifications to their travel plans but don't cause them to cancel.

The TIA estimates that 82 percent to 86 percent of American summer vacations are driving vacations, with the average length being about four nights. Last year, when gas prices climbed, the TIA estimated that the higher prices tacked an extra $40 to $45 onto the total average vacation expense.

TIPS ON CONSERVING FUEL ON YOUR TRIP: (1) Get your car tuned up. (2) Make sure that your tires are inflated properly and that your wheels are properly aligned. (3) Purchase only gas that is the correct octane as specified by your car's manufacturer. (4) Fill up in the morning--cooler gasoline is more compact, so you'll get more drops of the precious fluid for your dollars. (5) Added weight lowers fuel economy -- don't over pack your trunk. (6) Obey posted speed limits; fuel economy decreases substantially at speeds above 55 miles per hour. (7) Set your cruise control to maintain a constant speed, which can also improve fuel economy. (8) If your car has overdrive, use it. It reduces fuel consumption during highway driving. (9) Try to avoid extreme acceleration. (10) Don't tailgate. It leads to unnecessary braking and acceleration. (11) Don't let your car sit and idle. Start it only when everything is packed in the truck, the kids are strapped in, and you're ready to go. (12) Running a car's air conditioner may increase gas consumption in some cases, instead open windows, particularly at speeds under 40 miles per hour. (13) Park in the shade. (14) Try not to make single-purpose trips. (15) It's always a good idea to have a map of the area where you're traveling--getting lost is not good for fuel economy. (16) Ask your innkeeper, hotel desk manager or other "local" to advise you on best routes. (17) Consider leaving the car at home. Take a bus, train or ferry to your travel destination.