Geopolitics also plays a part in oil pricing, and on Tuesday, ABC News quoted an unnamed Pentagon official as saying there is an "increasing likelihood" that Israel will strike Iran's nuclear facilities by the end of the year. Iran is the world's fourth-largest oil producer. While a State Department spokesman could not verify that report, the psychological unrest was reflected in the markets.

Fairclough said the higher gas prices mean many Utahns will be celebrating closer to home.

"It's important for families to have these memories, these times when you do fun things together," she said. "But they're kind of scaling back. They may not be going as far for as long."

For Utahns who may have celebrated too much, AAA offers a service for people who have had too much to drink and cannot make it home safely: the AAA Tipsy Tow Program. It's free for drinking drivers from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday. Call (800) 222-4357 for a free tow of up to five miles.

The program started after AAA discovered that some drivers are reluctant to call a cab after drinking because they don't want to leave their cars behind, Fairclough said.

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Contributing: Associated Press.

E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com