Inflation hits 4.1 percent, Triangle families cut summer travel

The all-items consumer price index rose 4.2% over the 12 months ending in May, and the energy index jumped 23.5%, accounting for more than 60% of the monthly increase. Rising prices are forcing Triangle families to rethink summer plans, from weekend getaways to longer vacations, as inflation stayed stubbornly elevated and fuel costs kept climbing.

Families across Wake County are cutting back on vacations, shortening trips or skipping them altogether because fuel, food and lodging have become harder to absorb. One Raleigh-area resident called higher gas prices a noticeable hit to everyday spending, while another said she was not going on vacation this year because of the economy.

The pressure is especially sharp for summer travel, when driving costs hit not only commuters but also road-trippers, boaters and airlines. On June 26, North Carolina’s average regular gas price was $3.563 a gallon, compared with a national average of $3.901, according to AAA. National pump prices had fallen below $4 as summer travel heated up. The extra cost affects families deciding whether to drive to the beach, book a hotel or stay closer to home.

Visit Raleigh counted a record 19 million visitors in 2024, and those visitors spent $3.4 billion. Visit Raleigh’s tourism base supports more than 26,000 local jobs. In the first quarter of 2026, Visit Raleigh’s figures put hotel occupancy at 66.2%, the average daily rate at $136.34 and room-nights sold at 1.11 million.

When families trade a multi-night stay for a day trip, eat out less or skip attractions altogether, the squeeze reaches hotels, restaurants and entertainment spots across Raleigh, Cary and the rest of the Triangle.