Carolinas Airstream Club rallies at Washington waterfront amid high gas prices

WASHINGTON, N.C. (WITN) - Rising fuel prices aren’t keeping dozens of Airstream enthusiasts from hitting the highway, even as the cost to fill up tests their travel budgets.

Nearly 30 silver trailers are lining the Pamlico River this weekend as the Carolinas Airstream Club hosted its Urban Rally along the Washington waterfront.

“When we saw the harbor front, it sparked the idea that wouldn’t it be really, really cool to have an Airstream event overlooking the Pamlico,” club president Roger Holland said.

The gathering comes as drivers face steep prices at the pump. According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded sits around $4.30. North Carolina’s statewide average is about $3.96, with many eastern stations posting $3.99 ahead of the weekend.

For travelers towing heavy campers, the pinch is immediate. Owners Lynne and Greg Wilson said their truck averages about 10 mpg on flat highways and closer to 8 mpg in the mountains.

“When you see the number when you get home and look at how much you spent on fuel, you know you have to think twice,” Wilson said. “Like, okay, are we going to go across the country and come back?”

Rather than canceling their itineraries, attendees say they are adapting. Many rely on fuel-discount cards, route planning to locate the lowest prices, and packing meals ahead of time to offset travel costs.

“We’re always trying to find the cheapest gas along the route, and so that causes us just to do maybe a little bit better planning in terms of the trips that we’re going to take,” owner Stephen Williams said.

City officials and organizers expect the weekend rally to provide an economic boost to downtown businesses, restaurants, and shops.

For owners, the camaraderie outweighs the extra dollars per gallon.

“It’s really about meeting the people and getting to know the area,” owner Beth Williams said. “That’s something that you can’t put a price tag on.”