A record number of South Carolinians – nearly 1,375,000 – will travel 50 miles or more for the Christmas/New Year’s holiday, according to AAA Carolinas.
Travel volume represents an increase of nearly 53,000 total travelers compared to last year. An estimated 1,251,200 or 91% of total travelers, plan to drive to their destination.
“Falling gas prices and an improving economy has led to more South Carolinians traveling to celebrate the holidays and ring in the New Year with family and friends,” said David E. Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas. “With most people hitting the roads during this time, we want to stress the importance of buckling up, avoiding drinking and driving, texting behind the wheel and speeding.”
The 13-day Christmas/New Year’s travel holiday is defined as Tuesday, Dec. 23, through Sunday, Jan. 4, which is one day longer than the travel period last year.
Last year, 32 people died on South Carolina roads during the year-end holiday travel period; that’s 11 more deaths than in 2012.
Those driving to their destinations will encounter the lowest gas prices since 2009. South Carolinians are currently paying 79 cents less for a gallon of gas than they were a year ago. Gas prices in South Carolina are 32 cents lower than they were on Thanksgiving Day. The statewide average is currently $2.27 and prices are expected to continue their decline through the start of 2015, due to an abundant supply domestically and less people driving in the winter months.
South Carolina motorists will find the cheapest gas in Spartanburg at $2.20 a gallon and the most expensive gas in Columbia at $2.31. For those traveling through North Carolina, the average price per gallon is 21 cents higher than South Carolina’s.
An estimated 73,400 South Carolinians will fly to their destinations, a slight increase from last year.
Driven by low-cost carriers, airfares are down 7% from a year ago, averaging $186 for the top 40 U.S routes. However, car rental rates are up 4% from a year ago to $66 per day.
Hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond hotels have increased by 4% from a year ago, averaging $143 per night. AAA Two Diamond hotels average $108 per night, a 5% increase from last year.
With holiday parties frequently held between Christmas and New Year’s, drunk driving is always a major problem during this travel period. AAA advises drivers to assign a designated driver or call a cab if they are planning to consume alcohol.
South Carolina’s “sober or Slammer” campaign which started Dec.12 and runs through Jan. 4, includes public safety checkpoints and stepped-up patrols in an effort to find and arrest anyone driving while impaired.
During the holiday period, unexpected weather or vehicle problems may leave motorists stranded. AAA Carolinas recommends keeping an emergency kit in your car that includes:
- Cell phone and car charger
- Blankets and flashlight with extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Drinking water and non-perishable snacks
- Small shovel and a sack of sand or cat litter for traction
- Windshield scraper
- Battery booster cables
- Emergency triangle reflectors
- Change of clothes, including socks and shoes
The South Carolina Department of Transportation generally prohibits lane closures on interstates and high-volume multi-lane routes from 6 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23 through 10 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4.
Survey data is taken from AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, AAA/HIS Global Insight holiday travel forecast and AAA Carolinas data. To estimate fuel costs, travelers can go to www.fuelcostcalculator.com to input starting city, destination, and the make and model of their car.
The free AAA Mobile app for iPhone and Android devices uses GPS navigation to help travelers map a route, find updated gas prices, view nearby member discounts and access AAA Roadside Assistance.
- Nearly Century-Old St. Stephen School To Be Torn Down - March 20, 2024
- BCSD Approves $10K Bonus For Special Education Teachers - March 19, 2024
- WakeUp Carolina Celebrates Moncks Corner Grand Opening With Ribbon Cutting - March 12, 2024
Recent Comments