Magic City Classic: Tailgaters ignore gas price spike

Tailgaters arriving at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, reported paying more than a dollar per gallon more for fuel than they did last year, yet most said the 85th Magic City Classic remained a priority. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline stood at $4.20 on Friday, according to AAA data, up from $3.04 a year prior.

The event features Alabama A&M and Alabama State University, which are scheduled to play at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Organizers describe the matchup as the largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities football game in the country. Fans traveled from across the nation to participate in the pregame festivities.

Wilbur Swanson drove from outside Washington, D.C., in Maryland to attend. He estimated the journey at 850 miles and a twelve-hour drive. Swanson noted that his fuel costs have risen sharply. He said the trip normally costs him $200 in gas but has recently jumped to between $250 and $260.

Tiffany Commings traveled from Loganville, Georgia, a distance she described as roughly 253 miles. She recalled that prices were significantly lower when she made the trip in the previous year. Commings estimated the difference at 40 to 50 cents per gallon. She acknowledged the current cost is high but stated that seeing family made the expense worthwhile.

Shonquis Ryan, a resident of Greensboro, Alabama, filled her vehicle's tank on Friday. She reported the cost of that fill-up as approximately $39. Several attendees noted that while the price increase was noticeable, the tradition of the game and the sense of unity outweighed the financial burden.

AAA data indicates the national average price for regular gasoline has fallen by five cents over the past week. The drop follows a period of higher costs that many long-distance travelers noted while planning their trips to the stadium.