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Are you thinking that you can't afford a vacation this summer? Who can blame you? Gas prices reach record highs every week; bagels may soon break through the $1 barrier; the daily routine of a double tall latte is becoming a once-a-week treat for many.

But all the stress of worrying about the economy makes one thing abundantly clear: You may have never needed a vacation more!

"People are inundated with bad news on the travel front," says AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman John Townsend. "Record gas prices, higher cruise fees, second-bag fees on airlines. . . . But people in Washington work long hours, work like drones, so they don't want to give up their vacations."

So what's an overworked, hyper-stressed D.C. body to do, John? Head to the beach, of course.

"The beach is always a favorite haunt of Washingtonians," Townsend says, adding that "a lot of people will travel closer to home and stay for shorter periods of time. But even at these prices, people need to get away."

And about those gas prices: A gallon of gas in Ocean City this week went for on average $3.67, up from about $2.83 a gallon this time last year. Ouch! But what does that mean in terms of a trip to the beach? Last year, it cost $32.32 to put enough gas in a minivan to get from Washington to Ocean City and back. This year, it will cost a whopping $42.88. That's right, a difference of $10.56 -- or roughly the cost of Thrasher's fries and ice cream on the boardwalk. (Go to www.aaamidatlantic.com and click on "Fuel Price Finder" to use this cool tool.)

You know that you need it, that you deserve it, so go ahead and get away. But before you leave, open the next few pages for ideas about what to do at the area's beaches, from Rehoboth to Virginia Beach. Whether you're into art, music, food, nature, nightclubs or family fun, you'll find great suggestions. And because we feel your pain, many of them are free or very cheap. You're ready, aren't you? You're psyched? What's not to love about even a few days at the beach?

Just one thing, as Townsend points out: With so many people traveling close to home this summer, "expect very clogged roads." Oh, no!