Gas prices have dropped below $1.99 per gallon of self-service unleaded regular across much of Minnesota where the statewide average was $2.01 Monday, according to gasbuddy.com. The organization said about 300,000 more people will be on the move this year compared to Thanksgiving 2014. “Drivers should pay the lowest pump prices for the Thanksgiving holiday since 2008…”
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AAA expects the busiest day of the holiday week to be November 29.
AAA wanted to remind Thanksgiving travelers to “check the condition of their battery and tires before heading out on a holiday getaway”. “Americans still place a high premium on being with family for Thanksgiving”, said Brent Stahlheber, Sr. This is especially the case in densely packed states such as New Jersey, as well as vacation destinations like Colorado, where the local AAA branch is forecasting the most Thanksgiving road trippers since 2007.
“There are some people who won’t travel because gas prices are more expensive”, she said.
“Thanksgiving is a family-oriented holiday, so it’s no surprise that more people are planning to spend time visiting friends and family”, said Cathleen Lewis, director of public affairs and government relations for AAA Northeast in New Jersey.
Other factors resulting in the rise in travelers include improvements in the economy, a steady wage growth, rising disposable income and a falling unemployment rate, according to AAA officials. The national average remains poised to fall below the $2 per gallon benchmark by the Christmas holiday.
Most of the travelers, nearly 90 percent, are going by auto which is the best and cheapest solution since they will be paying about $2.15 per gallon.
Earlier this year, US Energy Information Administration released a report indicating that Buffalo is at the end of two supply pipelines.
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Oil analysts say the price drops are surprising, given that retail gas prices tend to “perk up” before the holidays. From last year’s $2.81 per gallon, this year’s average has already reached $2.14.
