Gas prices hit $4.20, yet 850-mile trips continue to fill Legion Field
Tailgaters at the 85th Magic City Classic report fuel costs are up more than $1 per gallon compared to last year, but attendance remains steady.
By Vincent Parker ·
The national average price for a gallon of regular gas reached $4.20 on Friday, according to AAA data. That figure stands more than $1.00 higher than the $3.04 average recorded a year ago. Despite the increase, tailgaters arrived at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, for the 85th Magic City Classic.
The event, organized by the Magic City Classic association, is described as the largest HBCU football game in the country. Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University are scheduled to play at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Fans traveled from across the nation to participate in the pre-game festivities.
Wilbur Swanson drove roughly 850 miles from Maryland to reach the stadium. He described the journey as a 12-hour drive. Swanson noted that his fuel costs have risen sharply. He said a tank that normally costs him $200 now runs between $250 and $260.
Tiffany Commings traveled about 253 miles from Loganville, Georgia. She observed that prices were "significantly less" during her trip last year, estimating the difference at 40 to 50 cents per gallon. Shonquis Ryan, who lives in Greensboro, Alabama, filled her tank on Friday for approximately $39.
Attendees acknowledged the higher expenses but maintained that the event justifies the cost. Commings stated that she is visiting family, which makes the trip worthwhile, even as she described the prices as ridiculous. Swanson said the unity and love of family drive him to make the long trip despite the financial impact.
According to AAA, the national average gas price has decreased by five cents over the past week. The drop follows a period of rising costs that many long-distance travelers noticed during their preparations for the game. The event remains a major draw for fans from the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and local regions.
