LITTLE ROCK—The Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer driving season, though travel is expected to decline slightly from last year and families are reducing the distance they cover.

A gallon of self-serve unleaded averaged $3.77 in Arkansas on Friday, slightly lower than the $3.88 per-gallon national average, according to the AAA.

State tourism officials say they anticipate plenty of in-state travel, and those shorter trips are expected to fill campsites and cabins in Arkansas state parks.

Analysts say that with oil prices continuing to rise, gasoline may go above $4 per gallon. Oil prices this week topped $135 per barrel.

“Gas prices are indeed going to affect holiday travel this year. We’re expecting a decrease of about 1 percent,” AAA spokesman Mike Right said.

About 31.7 million Americans will travel by motor vehicle this Memorial Day, down 1 percent from last year. Those driving represent 83 percent of those traveling over the holiday. Air travel will be down about one-half of a percent, and 4.35 million Americans will fly. That represents 11 percent of the overall travel, Right said.