RALEIGH -- AAA Carolinas says almost 980,000 North Carolina motorists will drive more than 50 miles during the long weekend marking the start of the summer vacation season. Tom Crosby with the motor club says get ready to pay more to gas up the car for that trip.

Crosby said, "Gas prices are going to be about $3.62 per gallon. That's 20 cents higher than we paid last year, and it's the 27th highest in the nation."

The most popular destinations for North Carolina motorists this weekend will be Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, followed by Charlotte, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Williamsburg, Virginia.