CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Memorial Day weekend is nearing and the roadways and gas pumps are expected to be busy.

Pumping up the tires, fueling up the tank, and making sure the trunk is filled with the necessities for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

Carlos Ortiz of Springfield told 22News, “I’m trying to you know do some barbecue, trying to go to the beach or something, you know have some good times, go fishing, you know be with my girlfriend.”

AAA is expecting over 38 million Americans be traveling for the Memorial Day Weekend. More than 700,000 people are expected to be driving in Massachusetts.

Gas prices are at their lowest levels in 11 years for a Memorial Day Weekend.

“I don’t believe there was ever any excuse for them being as high as they were and I’m glad that they’re going down reflecting what they should have been all along,” said Lois Kozikowski of Chicopee.

Right now the average price for regular unleaded gasoline in the state of Massachusetts is $2.28 per gallon. That’s about a 40 cent drop from what it was last year at $2.67. But driver’s I spoke with today said they see the prices inching up as they head towards Memorial Day.

Shaiann Pertillar of Chicopee told 22News, “I’ve noticed that the gas prices have gone up quite a bit, not as much as they were last year but they have gone up a little bit.”

“You know in the summer it goes up in the winter it’s been going down. You know I also notice the difference in mileage with the gas in the summer versus the winter,” said Steve Gregoire of Chicopee.

In February, the average price of gas was less than $2.00 per gallon in the Commonwealth. Economists say the higher prices could indicate a sign for a stronger economy, as long as drivers continue to travel.

“Still going to go, still going to go out and go do what I’m going to do. Just put a little more money in the gas tank that’s all,” said Pertillar.

The national average for regular unleaded is right in line with the state at $2.28 per gallon.