The U.S. appeared to make it through the Labor Day weekend without the massive gasoline supply problems that some feared.
Holiday travelers encountered some shortages along heavy traffic routes between big cities and popular vacation destinations, but the New York Times said there were no reports of motorists stranded because they could not refuel.
"It could three or five stations on one stretch running out, that's a fairly real situation that is happening," Justin McNaull, a spokesman for AAA, formerly known as the American Automobile Association, told the New York Times.
Rumors that service stations were closing early appeared to have needlessly sent many motorists on refueling trips, said American Petroleum Institute chief economist John Felmy.
"It wasn't as good as I hoped, but it wasn't as bad as I feared," he said about the weekend.
Industry analysts say gasoline supplies will likely remain tight through much of the coming week if not longer.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
