Expect a few holiday relief at the pump

Almost 47 million people are expected to travel this holiday season nationwide, but right here in Charleston, the threat of a homeland terrorist attack is changing the way people are thinking about holiday travel.

At the central OH gas station that AAA says briefly registered the lowest gas price in the region last week – $1.53 per gallon – Jen Jeczen, 52, was filling up at $1.85 for a holiday trip.

N.C. Department of Transportation will stop work on most road projects across the state to help keep traffic flowing and reduce gas consumption and spending. The Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, November 25 to Sunday, November 29. The total number of travelers is up from past year and AAA spokesperson Amy Parmenter said that is the most Thanksgiving travelers since 2007. AAA calculates almost 42 million Americans will be taking a holiday road trip.

The current gas price is 70 cents per gallon under its year-ago point. “Low gas prices are certainly welcomed, especially this time of year”, said Garrett Townsend, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group.

And while many people are at work this morning, one-fourth of holiday travelers have already left for their Thanksgiving destinations.

While most people will travel by vehicle, officials at Charlotte Douglas worldwide Airport are expecting near-record crowds and long lines during Thanksgiving week. It’s typically the airport’s busiest time of year.

In a statement, Kevin Dillon, the authority’s executive director, called for passengers to arrive at the airport two hours before their flight’s scheduled departure.

For months, retail gasoline prices have remained higher than analysts would typically expect, considering rock-bottom oil prices. Last week, the price for benchmark West Texas Intrmediate crude oil averaged $40.82 per barrel, the lowest weekly average since August, AAA said.