Typically one of Americans’ favorite holidays, automobile travel this weekend is anticipated to be down from previous years in light of record prices for gasoline.

It’s usually regarded as the start of summer vacation, which ends for most on Labor Day weekend.

Although gas has yet to reach $4 a gallon, many believe it could be at that level when September and the “end of summer” and Labor Day roll around, further curtailing travel. “Our industry is concerned that the price of crude oil has gotten so high because of investors dumping their money in on a market that is backed on a weak dollar,” says Bob Gallagher of Rio Rancho, president of the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association.

“Prices for a gallon of gasoline at the pump (are) hurting the overall economy. Gasoline is a necessity and when you have to pay that much for a necessity, then other items that are discretionary are left by the wayside n and that’s not good for the overall economy. We’re concerned about the economy as much as anybody is.”

In addition to driving less, people are opting either not to purchase another vehicle or forsaking pickup trucks for automobiles. And that’s also related to impacted budgets.

“The No. 1 motivator or decider on what they’re choosing is miles per gallon. You could say it’s a greenhouse gas issue, but it’s not. It’s a kitchen-table issue, a monthly budget issue,” explained Don Chalmers, Rio Rancho’s largest auto dealer.

According to Chalmers, the industry once sold two-thirds truck and one-third car sales, and that is a mirror of statewide sales.

“Now it’s 50-50 and dropping on the truck chassis, but the change has taken place in the last six months,” Chalmers explained.

Being a seasoned veteran in the industry, Chalmers has seen his share of trends, whether they’re termed inflations or recessions.

“People certainly have debated whether we’re in a recession or not n the way we measure a recession is an archaic thing,” he continued. “By the time they measure we’re out of it. The automobile business has been in a slump for over a year. (In) 2007, we sold fewer cars than we sold in 2006. This is nationwide. Although our business is famous for cycles, this is not a cycle n it’s a permanent thing. It will continue to trend toward more fuel-efficient vehicles.What people in New Mexico want is a big truck that gets 50 miles to the gallon.”

That’s not likely to happen.

The question is this. Are people’s lives being changed in light of rising gas prices?

Don Martin, transportation specialist, Rio Rancho Public Schools said, “My wife is going to change her car to a (Hyundai) Santa Fe that has better mileage to it and me, after I pay for her car, I’m going to downsize my truck. I can pull (my boat) with a smaller truck. I used to go fishing every weekend n now, not so much.”

Amy Sanderville, Rio Rancho Public Schools secretary, said, “When my husband’s going out of town, I use his (Saturn) because I get better gas mileage. I use my other cars (Nissan Maxima and Ford Expedition) for trips to Albuquerque. I have my daughter at home, helping me buy food. We don’t eat out as much. (Now) we won’t be able to take long trips.”

Theresa Saiz, Rio Rancho Public Schools director of transportation, said, “My husband wants to get a smaller car. What we’re looking at is investing as a family in a smaller vehicle. … We’re actually putting this pencil-to-paper.”

Helen Werden, City Hall front desk volunteer, said, “I find I consolidate my trips better, but then I’ve always done that, so I feel I don’t have a lot of room to improve. I always have made right-hand turns not to save gas, but because it’s safer. So a lot of the things they keep saying we should do (we’re doing). One thing, we’re not taking as many trips this summer. We will be taking one out to Ohio and Michigan. We’re going to consolidate two trips where we might have taken two separate trips.”

Mayor Tom Swisstack said, “In light of rising gas prices, I’m more systematic about where I’m going to go. … So, that I’m accomplishing things that I want to instead of having to run back and forth to the stores as often as I used to, prior to the gas going up. And I’m more inclined to ride my motorcycle now.”

Bob Boone, Rio Rancho chief of police, said, “I think we combine trips more often than we used to. Instead of taking two trips for two objects, we’ll try to save them up and go out and get them accomplished at one time.”

Christine Qualls, development services, said, “Stop driving all over the place. Consolidating trips. I’m keeping my business basically here in Rio Rancho.”

Karen Trujillo, development services: “I have consolidated my shopping trips n my grocery shopping, my regular shopping. So, less trips in the car.”

Mary Pereida, development services, said, “I don’t leave my house as much as I used to. I don’t take unnecessary trips. I just come to work and go home, and on weekends, I really limit my driving.”

Barbara Meyerson, City Hall front desk volunteer, said, “None. I don’t drive that much anymore.”

Jon Daniels, Parks and Recreation, said, “I live and work in Rio Rancho. I try to bike to work. It’s hard if you live in Albuquerque because you have the constant commute on a day-to-day basis. Both my wife and I actually live and work here.”

Jennifer Harvey, Parks and Recreation, said, “I don’t shop as often, but everything else I still have to do.”

Jeff Romero, Parks and Recreation, said, “I live in Albuquerque, so I constantly have to drive from my house to city hall to the ball fields. It used to be $40, now its $64 to fill up. So, there’s pretty much been cutbacks on everything. I live on my own, so it’s cut back on groceries, recreation, everything n a pretty big impact.”

Jill Espinosa, Parks and Recreation, said, “Nothing, really. I still drive everywhere because there’s no other way to walk around anywhere in Rio Rancho n you have to drive. But I try to drive as little as possible. With my family, we all go in one car. But it’s pretty much the same because it’s hard to get from one place to another.”

Gallagher felt compelled to lend some optimism.

“Personally, I don’t believe n and people think I’m crazy n I don’t believe we’re going to get to $4 this summer,” Gallagher predicted. “We may get to it in September or October, but we’re hopeful by then demand is down some and supply will be up, and maybe prices will go down as well. But people should not be surprised if the price of a gallon of gasoline stays at this level, or higher, for several years to come, unfortunately.”