Reflecting Americans’ increasing exasperation at the pump, the latest Access America Travel Frustration Index – a quarterly barometer that tracks a range of factors that impact both business and leisure travelers – jumped three points in the first quarter of 2008. Almost nine in 10 respondents to the national survey (88 percent) reported frustrations with gas prices.

"Americans are feeling the pain at the pump,” said Mark Cipolletti, vice president of communications for Richmond-based Access America. "The travel index measures 10 factors that impact all kinds of travelers and so is, by design, very stable. In order to move the needle three points, as we’ve seen in the past quarter, there has to be a major shift in emotion."

Access America provides travel insurance and assistance to millions of travelers each year. It compiles the Travel Frustration Index in a quarterly survey of 876 adults 18 years or older. Read more.