High gas prices meant a Labor Day spent closer to home, for many in Northeast Ohio.
Cleveland's average Monday is $3.86, slightly higher than the national average.
Many families who drove downtown to watch the 2012 Cleveland Air Show say they would not have ventured much further, with prices so steep.
Katrina Muzingo, who came up to the air show from Brunswick, didn't take her three children on a cross country road trip, like in years past.
"Rather than going out west or to Florida where family is, because we drive, we're cutting completely down," Muzingo said.
People who would have preferred to spend the holiday on Lake Erie found their wallets stretched even more.
Gas on the lake is averaging $1 higher than along the highway.
"I filled up a few days ago. Cost me about $400," said Edward Stawicki.
Stawicki and his family barbecued dockside at the E. 55th Street Marina, not bothering to cast off and burn boat fuel on the water.
A price break is on the horizon in September: with oil companies resuming operations after Isaac, fall travel slowing down and reducing demand, and refineries switching to a less-expensive winter blend of fuel.
Gas prices have dropped in September for five of the last ten years.
Still, families concede it may not be the price drop they'd like to see.
"With prices so high, I just limit my traveling to as-needed," said Marci Adams.
WKYC-TV