Despite a dramatic drop in the price of gasoline of more than $2 a gallon in just two months, fewer Carolinians are planning to travel on the road or by airplane this Thanksgiving, according to AAA Carolinas.  

The drop in Thanksgiving holiday travel is the first downturn since 2002.

In North Carolina 17,000 fewer motorists and 14,000 fewer air passengers are expected to travel more than 50 miles from home. In South Carolina, the decline is 8,000 fewer motorists and 7,000 fewer air passengers, a decline of 1.5 percent in the number of Carolinians expected to travel over the holiday.

An estimated 1.22 million North Carolinians and almost 600,000 South Carolinians plan to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday, including 1.07 million North Carolinians and 526,000 South Carolinians by vehicle; 149,000 North Carolinians and 73,000 South Carolinians are expected to fly.

"Concern over the economy is having a depressing effect on Thanksgiving holiday travel this year," said David E. Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas. "Still, the decline is smaller than might be expected, because most people think Thanksgiving is a holiday they want to spend with families and friends."

The continuing daily price drop for gasoline may encourage some Carolinians to alter plans and engage in last-minute travel to take advantage of some of the lowest gas prices in years. It is the fourth consecutive travel holiday this year with a year-to-year decline in the number of expected travelers.

Thanksgiving, traditionally the only four-day holiday of the year, is revered by many people as a time to "create memories," "reconnect and build relationships" and "continue past traditions," according to a recent AAA travel survey.

Nationally, nearly 41 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday weekend, a decrease of 600,000 travelers from last year and the first decline in holiday travel since 2002.

Gas prices in the Carolinas have declined more than 60 percent since hitting record highs of more then $4 a gallon in September following Hurricane Ike and are more than a dollar less per gallon than last Thanksgiving. In North Carolina, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $1.97, down $1.11 from last year. South Carolina's average gas price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $1.86, down $1.10 from 2007.

ROAD TRAVEL

Motorists will find the cheapest gas in North Carolina in Fayetteville at $1.91 for a gallon of regular unleaded, a decrease of $1.16 per gallon from last year, while the state's most expensive gas is found in Boone at $2.02, down $1.06 from 2007.

South Carolinians will find the cheapest gas in Greenville at $1.80 for a gallon of regular unleaded, down $1.16 a gallon from 2007, while the most expensive is in Charleston at $1.92 a gallon, a decrease of $1.02 a gallon from 2007.

In North Carolina, most construction projects along interstate and U.S. routes will be suspended beginning on Tuesday, Nov. 25, thru Monday, Dec. 1. One exception is Interstate 85 in Vance County, reduced to one lane in each direction between mile markers 206 and 214, where motorists can expect delays, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation. In South Carolina, all construction projects will be suspended over the holiday travel period.

Parsons cautioned Carolinians to drive carefully noting that in 2007, North Carolina had the dubious title of the worst state in the nation for increased traffic deaths, fueled by an increase in motorcycle and drunken driving deaths.

The Tarheel state was one of only 14 states to show an increase in traffic fatalities and its 7.8 percent increase resulted in a total of 1,675 fatalities, an increase of 121 fatalities over the previous year.

With heavy traffic expected on the roads this weekend, families should take extra measures to ensure safety on the highway.

AAA Carolinas recommends:

• Drivers take a break every two hours or 150 miles. Get out and stretch to reenergize your brain as well as pump blood to your muscles.
• On long trips, switch drivers regularly, preferably with someone who has been sitting in the back seat. Passengers sitting in the front seat with the driver are paying attention to the road as well and can experience just as much fatigue as the driver.
• Add about 15 minutes to every hour the trip typically takes to drive cautiously with the increased traffic
• Get a vehicle checkup before hitting the road. Be sure to check fluids and your tires, especially the spare tire.
• Follow the rules of the road - obey the speed limit, wear seat belts and never drink and drive.
  

AIR TRAVEL

Parsons said that the airlines have been hit hard by the economic slump and have cut capacity while raising airfares, resulting in a drop in passengers over Thanksgiving.

"Air travelers this Thanksgiving should still expect to find crowded airports and airplanes because Thanksgiving is the heaviest travel holiday of the year," said Parsons. "Because airlines have cut the number of flights, the remaining flights will be as fully booked as possible. In the event of delays or cancellations, passengers could experience a longer wait."

Parsons said air travelers should also be ready to pay for checked baggage, snacks, preferred seating and even pillows and blankets.

AAA Carolinas recommends that fliers:

• Carry a bag on the plane to save baggage check-in costs and possible delays in baggage areas.
• Be sure to have required identification available such as driver's license, state photo identity cards or U.S. passport to go through security lines.
• Any carry-on bags must follow the 3-1-1 rule. Only three ounces or less of liquids or gels can be carried, in a one-quart size zip lock bag in one bag to be carried on the plane.
• Purchase any water, drinks, snacks or food to carry on the plane after entering airport security, saving money over the cost of food offered for sale on the plane.

According to AAA Leisure Travel Index (LTI), Thanksgiving holiday travelers can also expect to pay more for car rentals this year, an average of four percent higher than a year ago for the same period.

Nearly 73 percent of Carolinians expect to stay with friends or relatives, up from 70 percent last year, another way that travelers may try to save money. Many Carolinians, about 57 percent, plan to visit family and friends for their travel activities.

The Thanksgiving holiday travel numbers are based on research from surveys of over 2,000 adults nationwide and a forecast model developed by the Travel Industry Association, which conducts special research for AAA. The data was collected by an online survey of over 2,000 adults nationwide and supplemented by an additional 5,000 Americans from the top 10 travel origins in the nation.

An affiliate of the American Automobile Association, AAA Carolinas is a not-for-profit organization that serves more than 1.7 million members with travel, automobile and insurance services while being an advocate for all travelers.

Related Links

1. Find The Cheapest Fuel Prices Near You
2. AAA Carolinas