Travel over the holiday weekend is expected by AAA to surpass pre-pandemic levels.

Fran Mayko of AAA Northeast says 2.4 million New England residents will be among the travelers hitting the road.

AAA says gas prices are $1.33 a gallon less than this time last year. The national average is $3.57 a gallon. In Connecticut, it is $3.64 a gallon.

Air travel is also setting a holiday record despite the overall high travel cost.

"We're working more, we're earning more, we're spending more and we're traveling more. People are happy,” said Mayko.

Caleb Silver of Investopedia says there has been a big shift in inflation in the past few months.

"In the state of Connecticut and throughout New England, inflation is at a 2.4% annual rate that is lower than the 4% rate across the country,” he said.

Silver says many people are now spending more on everyday staples.

“We're talking about housekeeping supplies up 8.5% from a year ago. Hardware, that's up 7.4% from last year and alcoholic beverages up almost 4%,” he said.