Thanksgiving day drivers will feast closer to home

BY DEBBIE BLOSSOM

Published: November 20, 2008

For the first time in six years, fewer Americans will travel during the busy Thanksgiving holiday weekend, industry experts said this week.

About 41 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home for the holiday weekend, a decrease of 600,000 travelers from last year’s total of 41.6 million, according to auto club AAA. The decrease is also the fourth consecutive holiday this year posting a decline over last year, AAA said.

In Oklahoma, AAA expects 439,500 Oklahomans will be on the road, a .6 percent decrease from last year. Another 47,500 will fly to their holiday destination, reflecting a 6 percent drop.

Low gas not enough

Blame it on the battered economy, said AAA Oklahoma spokesman Chuck Mai. But the findings are still somewhat startling, given that gas prices in Oklahoma have dipped $1.80 in the past two months to a statewide average of $1.85, he said. A year ago, Oklahomans were paying an average of $3.03 a gallon for gas, AAA said.

"I think the low gas prices have been trumped by the bad economy” and the nationwide financial crunch that is putting a strain on many household finances, Mai said. "There is a lot of uncertainty about the future.”

Families may be choosing between traveling now or trips during the longer, Christmas holiday, he said.

Less frequent flying

Airlines also are expected to see 10 percent fewer passengers this holiday season.

That forecast from the Air Transport Association of America came as even more of a surprise, Mai said.

"Certainly airfares are up, but I think it’s also a little bit of disenchantment with flying with all the additional fees,” he said.

With additional costs for checking bags, aisle seats and extras such as pillows and beverages from some airlines, flying often is no longer the easier option.

But Mallery Nagle’s parents will stay away from the hassles of crowded airports, delayed flights and other frustrations this year and instead drive to Edmond from St. Louis, Nagle said. Their decision isn’t a financial one, she added, but rather a choice to avoid what could be an unpleasant experience.

"They can arrive not stressed out, and they can enjoy the holiday,” Nagle said. The lower gas prices will just be a bonus, she said.

Trip is worth it

Gas selling for less than $1.80 at some area stations will make a more economical trip for the five-member Woods family, which is planning to travel from Oklahoma City to Victoria, Texas, for Thanksgiving.

"We planned this three months ago,” Brenda Wood said, and no matter what the cost of gas, she and her husband and three children were heading south of the Red River for the holiday.

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