Expect more drivers on the road this Thanksgiving despite record gas prices
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Motorists can expect record high gas prices when they hit the road for Thanksgiving next week.
The national average fuel price is expected be $3.68 on Thanksgiving Day, almost 30 cents higher than last year and more than 20 cents above the previous record of $3.44 set in 2012.
Despite the higher cost, about 20% more people will travel by car this year, GasBuddy said Tuesday.
About 38% of Americans expect to drive to their holiday destination compared to 32% last year.
Highways will be the most crowded from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. the day before Thanksgiving and 8-11 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving.
People plan to travel farther from home, GasBuddy’s Thanksgiving survey found. About 23% of respondents expect to drive one to three hours to their holiday destination, while last year most people said they would travel less than an hour. Fewer people (46% this year compared to 51% in 2021) said high gas prices will affect their travel plans.
GasBuddy received 1,314 responses Nov. 5-9 to its survey.
How much is gas in PA?
The average price of gas in Pennsylvania has been above the national average during the past year.
The price rose 0.9 cents per gallon in the past week and averaged $4.07 per gallon as of Monday, GasBuddy said. Prices are 13.3 cents higher than a month ago and 47.3 cents more than last year. Prices across the state ranged from $3.45 to $4.69 per gallon.
The national average price fell 2.6 cents per gallon in the past week and was $3.76 per gallon as of Monday. The national average is 14.3 cents lower than a month ago but 36.3 cents higher than a year ago, GasBuddy said.
“After rising the week prior, the national average has changed directions again, posting a modest weekly decline with prices dropping in a majority of states. The decline has been partly driven by Great Lakes states, where prices fell by 15-25 cents per gallon due to an improvement in the refining situation, and also oil prices, which fell back under $90 per barrel last week,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a statement.
Centre County had one of the lowest gas prices in the region Wednesday. GasBuddy showed an average of $4.03, while it was $4.06 in Clinton and Huntingdon counties, $4.15 in Clearfield County and $4.16 in Blair County. Gas cost an average of $4.01 in Union County.
How to save on gas
GasBuddy’s tips to save on fuel costs include:
Shop around. The first gas station may not be the cheapest; driving a few blocks could save as much as 30 cents per gallon.
Slow down. Speeding, rapid acceleration and hard braking can cost hundreds of extra dollars each year in gas usage.
Be aware of state lines. Differences in state and local taxes can affect the cost of fueling up if you’re traveling through different states.
AAA issues travel forecast
The AAA expects the number of Thanksgiving travelers next week to approach pre-pandemic levels. The agency said Tuesday that it expects 54.6 million people to travel 50 miles or more from home, an increase of 1.5% from 2021. This will be the third busiest travel season since AAA began tracking it in 2000.
AAA predicts almost 49 million people will travel by road, 4.5 million will take to the air and 1.43 million will go by bus, train or cruise ship. The group defines the Thanksgiving holiday travel period as Nov. 23-27.
Air travelers can expect fewer options and crowded terminals. “Anticipate long TSA lines. If possible, avoid checking a bag to allow for more flexibility if flights are delayed or you need to reschedule,” Mary Maguire, vice president of public and government affairs at AAA Northeast, said in a statement.
Compared to last year, travel by bus, train or cruise ship will be up by 23.5%.
Maguire said travelers, no matter their mode of transportation, should expect crowds during their trip and at their destination. Consider traveling during off-peak times if possible, she said.
Where is everyone going?
Theme parks are a popular nationwide draw for Thanksgiving travelers. AAA looked at flight, hotel and rental car bookings for the holiday week to find the top domestic destinations. Orlando, Florida, and Anaheim, California, lead the rankings. Las Vegas, New York and Atlanta round out the top five.
“Since travel restrictions have lifted, we are seeing more of a shift from rural destinations back to urban cities, like New York,” Maguire said. “Consumer confidence has improved, and travelers want the excitement and accessibility of big cities, as well as more hotel options and greater inventory, which can sometimes mean better pricing.”