Thanksgiving Travel Helped By Lower Gas Prices
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Thanksgiving travel rush is on! A new study finds Tuesday night's rush hour is the most congested time on highways in the region for the entire Thanksgiving week.
Derek Valcourt explains all those driving for Thanksgiving have a little something extra to be thankful for.
The cost to get to Grandma's house won't be as high. Analysts say this is the lowest gas prices have been for Thanksgiving in more than five years.
Thousands of drivers started their long trip to their annual turkey dinner a little early.
"To have more time with the family," said driver Wayne Markwitz.
In all, some 46.3 million Americans are expected to be traveling this week. AAA predicts about 980,000 thousand of them will be Marylanders. The vast majority of them go by car. A new study analyzing GPS and smart phone data from Thanksgiving week in 2012 shows the most congested times on the roads in our region this holiday week will likely be Tuesday night from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., peaking around 5:30, and noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, with average traffic speeds at their slowest around 3:45.
"So we encourage travelers to pack their patience and try to travel during off-peak hours," said Ragina Averella, AAA Mid-Atlantic.
The good news for those drivers: fuel prices are down significantly. The average price per gallon right now across the country is $2.81---a five-year low.
"It's nice. I hope it stays this way," said one driver.
Fuel industry experts say oil supply is outstripping demand, keeping prices low. So far, oil-producing foreign countries haven't scaled back their production levels even as the US has significantly increased its own oil production to 9 million barrels a day.
"Nine million barrels a day is significant and so our reliance on foreign crudes has declined and our overall contribution to overall worldwide production has increased significantly," said Nancy Prue, Petroleum Resources Corporation.
And that leaves Taniesha Patterson counting her blessings and her savings.
"Especially with the holidays coming around. I got three kids so I need to save every little penny I can get," she said.
Enjoy the low prices at the pump while you can. Gas prices may start rising if OPEC decides to cut oil production at an important meeting they're having Thursday. If not, gas prices may even continue to fall.
Sunday and Monday are expected to be the busiest travel days after Thanksgiving.
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