Gas Prices: Thanksgiving Weekend Travel More Expensive This Year

November 28, 2009

Thanksgiving weekend travel was more expensive this year than last, with the average price of gas up nearly a dollar over last year.

gasprices.jpgThe average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in the Pensacola metro was $2.60 during the Thanksgiving weekend, up from $1.78  last year. But the price is still much better than two years ago when it was $3.04 per gallon.

Around North Escambia, that gallon of gas ranged from $2.55 to $2.64 in an informal survey.

AAA projected 38.4 million Americans would travel 50 miles or more away from home over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend; a 1.4 percent increase over last year when 37.8 million traveled.

The number of travelers by automobile was expected to be 33.2 million in 2009 compared to 32.5 million last year; an increase of 2.1 percent. The number of travelers by air was expected be 2.3 million compared to 2.5 million in 2008; a decline of 6.7 percent. The number of those traveling by “other” means, including, trains, watercraft, buses and multiple-modes of transportation, was expected to be 2.9 million compared to 2.8 million last year, an increase of 1.2 percent, AAA said.

Last year, Thanksgiving weekend travel dropped a precipitous 25.2 percent in the wake of the ongoing housing and financial crisis. This year’s expected increase in travel reflects improved consumer confidence from one year ago, better financial market performance and a growing sense among many consumers that the worst of the global economic crisis is behind us, AAA said.

“Although far too many Americans remain unemployed or under other financial stress, AAA’s projected increase in Thanksgiving travel from one year ago is another hopeful sign that economic conditions are stabilizing and improving in some areas. We can also be thankful the gradual recovery we have been seeing in the U.S. travel industry since the start of the summer is continuing,” said AAA’s director of Travel Services, Glen MacDonell.

Pictured: Regular unleaded gas was $2.59 per gallon Saturday at a station on Highway 97 in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

One Response to “Gas Prices: Thanksgiving Weekend Travel More Expensive This Year”

  1. Cynical on November 28th, 2009 11:36 am

    “$2.60 is still much better than two years ago when it was $3.04 per gallon.”

    I disagree.

    $2.60 is 40 odd cents lower than $3.05 and is just as much of a gouge.

    The price of gasoline is artificially inflated to meet the agenda of “social engineers” who want us to live in the manner “they” prescribe.

    HUMBUG.

    I buy gas $10 at a time and do my best to reward no one for their participation in the great gasoline price ripoff.