Trip To Grandma’s More Expensive This Year

November 24, 2011

That Thanksgiving trip to grandma’s house was a little more this expensive year, with gas prices up about 50 cents per gallon over last year.

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in the Pensacola metro was $3.27 headed into the Thanksgiving weekend, up from $2.79 last year and just $1.78  three years ago.  The increase, for example, would raise the cost of a round trip from North Escambia to Atlanta in an average four-door sedan by about $20.

Around the North Escambia area, that gallon of gas ranged from $3.24 to $3.29 in an informal survey. The lowest Escambia County price on Wednesday afternoon was $3.19 at a station on Blue Angel Parkway.

AAA forecasts 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a four percent increase from the 40.9 million people who traveled one year ago. This is the first significant increase in any holiday travel this year. The Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, November 23 to Sunday, November 27.

“Driving AAA’s projected increase in the number of Thanksgiving travelers is pent-up demand from Americans who may have foregone holiday travel the last three years,” said Bill Sutherland, vice president, AAA Travel Services.  “As consumers weigh the fear of economic uncertainty and the desire to create lasting family memories this holiday, more Americans are expected to choose family and friends over frugality.”

“This is the first significant increase in any holiday travel this year,” said Sutherland.  “Memorial Day travel was statistically flat while Independence Day and Labor Day travel experienced decreases of 2.5 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively.”

Approximately 38.2 million people (90 percent of holiday travelers) plan to take to the nation’s roadways this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a four percent increase compared to Thanksgiving 2010 when auto travelers totaled 36.8 million. Automobile travel remains the preferred choice of transportation for holiday travelers as it is often more affordable, convenient and flexible. The current national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is approximately $3.39 per gallon, about 50 cents more than one year ago.  However, the national average price is about 60 cents less than this year’s peak price of $3.98 on May 5.

Pictured: A gallon of regular unleaded was $3.29 Wednesday afternoon at this station on Highway 97 in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

6 Responses to “Trip To Grandma’s More Expensive This Year”

  1. David on November 27th, 2011 7:53 pm

    Just returned from a trip to the Smoky Mts.
    gas was 2.99 to 3.05 from Sevierville,Tn. alway to Greenville,Al. where it was 3.16 to 3.19. It got higher as I got closer to Atmore. As I drove through Atmore it was 3.29 for regular. Last week it was as low as 3.12 in Bay Minette.It seems as though the people of Atmore are being deliberately squeezed by the people who operate the gas stations. If you want to fight back then don’t buy anything from inside the stores or stations. That is where the real markup and profit is.

  2. Well on November 24th, 2011 10:36 pm

    Yep, 3.36 in Flomaton. 3.25 in Century.

    No savings in driving 20 miles though.

  3. WR011 on November 24th, 2011 7:47 pm

    You know the cronies of the Atmore regime has been in office too long when they can keep local newspapers from reporting on those tax increases objectively.. If the Atmore folks elect staff and reelect the same council, then they get what they deserve…they’ve killed the mom and pop gas stations…no one going to pay for Atmore gas when they can get it in bay minette and Brewton cheaper

  4. Cecil on November 24th, 2011 3:27 pm

    I agree with ya! We need a new day at city hall and not more of the same junk we have had, vote the bums out

  5. grannyr on November 24th, 2011 3:10 pm

    GO ANYWHERE ELSE OTHER THAN ATMORE TO BUY GAS,…..it’s higher there than ANYWHERE!!!!!!!! I went to Bay Minette this week and I got it for $3.11 a gallon…NOW TELL ME WHY THERE IS THAT MUCH DIFFERENCE?

  6. Friction on November 24th, 2011 10:34 am

    Gas prices are killing the economy…knowing this you would think local municipalities would not worsen the situation…remember the mayor and city council when you go to the polls Atmore..they raised gas prices without even getting any public input…time to sweep city hall clean folks.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News