With the three-day Memorial Day weekend looming, travelers will likely see gas prices hovering near the $2.50 mark in Albany and throughout the state. Oregon/Idaho AAA doesn't think that will deter travelers from taking to the road, however.

"There are plenty of travel bargains out there, gas prices are better compared to last year and there are lot of pent-up travel demons that need a release," said Marie Dodds of AAA.

Mid-valley gas prices today were in the neighborhood of $2.43 per gallon of regular, but some stations were at $2.49. The state average was nearly $2.47.

Prices in the state have jumped about 7 cents a gallon since last week and more than 20 cents a gallon in the last month. Mid-valley increases are up nearly 10 cents a gallon, according to AAA.

Compared to a year ago, however, prices look like a bargain. The average price in Oregon for the Memorial Day weekend in 2008 was $3.86 a gallon.

"It's certainly an improvement from last year. Actually this year is shaping up more like a normal year for gas prices," said Dodds. "Traditionally prices go up starting with Memorial Day."

Dodds said that she is expecting prices to drop again in June and then see another jump around the Fourth of July, with the same scenario playing out through Labor Day.

Recent increases are due in large part to the current rise in crude oil prices. Dodds said investors are reacting with more confidence in the global economy. As a result, the oil price per barrel jumped to $60 today, the highest level in six months.

Nonetheless, AAA is not predicting the kinds of gas price increases that happened last summer, when crude oil reached $147 a barrel and gas was at $4.29 a gallon.

"We don't think the average in Oregon will reach $3 a gallon this summer. More likely it will peak around $2.75," Dodds said. "There may be some pockets at $3 but the average will probably be under that."

AAA is predicting more Oregonians will be on the road this weekend. Despite the rising prices a 1.5 percent increase in drivers traveling at least 50 miles is expected.

If there are more travelers it would mark the first time since 2007 travel on any holiday has not decreased.