LAS VEGAS -- It’s the unofficial start of summer, and it looks as if neither weather nor higher gas prices are keeping people away.

Residents are complaining about gas prices in the valley, but they should consider themselves lucky compared to what Californians are paying.

Even at $4 and $5 a gallon, they aren't staying away.

“We almost decided not to come because of the gas prices,” said John Howard.

He said he and his family decided it was time to leave Utah for a break, and even though many people were working Friday, he said you wouldn't have known it based on highway traffic, which he said was very busy.

Tens of thousands of people are descending on Las Vegas for the Memorial Day weekend to unwind and have fun.

“We looked at traffic counts the other day from Caltrans’ report, and they didn't seem to falter much from what they used to be," said former gas station owner Al Young.

Young owned a gas station on Cima Road between Baker and Primm for 24 years. He said even at around $5 a gallon, people stopping to fill up aren't complaining.

In fact, to take it a step further, he said the people who do comment about the gas prices are the ones who aren't buying.

Motorists and boaters said they aren't going to let record fuel prices ruin their plans.

In Primm, prices are about $1 lower, but they are still over the $4-a-gallon mark. However, the pumps are still busy.

Then there are the pumps at Lake Mead.

“Obviously, it costs more, but it keeps the crowds down,” said Brian Essex.

Essex said he is ready for his weekend on the water, despite the weather and $5 a gallon.

“I’m out here no matter what. It won’t keep me away,” he said.

When it comes to fun, it has not hit the critical price for gasoline yet in the valley, which is great news for the tourism dollar this weekend.

According to AAA, 235,000 Nevadans will travel at least 50 miles or more this holiday weekend.

That's a marginal decrease from last year.