An estimated 660,000 South Carolinians are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday, a 0.6% increase over last year.
According to AAA Carolinas, nearly 90% of those travelers, about 592,000, will drive to their destinations – 0.7% increase over 2014.
Those travelers taking a road trip are expected to experience the lowest gas prices since 2008.
“South Carolinians will enjoy an early holiday bonus with cheaper prices at the pump,” said Dave E. Parsons, AAA Carolinas President and CEO. “Lower gas prices should help families kick off the holiday season with a Thanksgiving getaway.”
Gas prices in South Carolina have declined steadily over the past few months. The statewide average today is $1.88, down 71 cents from last year’s Thanksgiving holiday, when the average was $2.59.
The Thanksgiving holiday period is defined as Wednesday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 29. The highest number of travelers on the road will depart for their destinations on Wednesday and most will return on Sunday.
Thanksgiving is one of the most dangerous holidays for motorists due to its five-day length and the heavy traffic caused by the high number of travelers on the road. Last year, 8 people died in crashes on South Carolina highways during the holiday weekend, an increase from 5 fatalities in 2013.
“With Thanksgiving being the busiest travel weekend of the year we want to remind everyone to take extra measures to be safe on the road. We encourage all motorists to be defensive drivers and eliminate distractions behind the wheel,” continued Parsons.
Those driving through South Carolina will encounter the highest average price per gallon of unleaded gas in Charleston at $1.90; the least expensive average price is in the Greenville-Spartanburg area at $1.85.
South Carolina motorists can expect to see higher gas prices in the nearby states of North Carolina ($2.07), Virginia ($1.94), Tennessee ($1.93), and Georgia ($2.05).
Last year over the Thanksgiving holiday, AAA Carolinas rescued over 11,400 motorists, with the primary reasons being dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts. AAA recommends motorists ensure their vehicles are in peak operating condition by having it inspected by a trusted repair shop, such as an AAA Approved Auto Repair facility. Nearby locations can be found at AAA.com/Repair.
About 46,100 South Carolinians will travel by air, up 0.1% from last year. Those flying will experience cheaper airfares than last Thanksgiving. Airfares are projected to decrease 10%, landing at an average of $169 round-trip across the top domestic flight routes. The busiest departure date for air travel is Monday, Nov. 23, with the highest number expected to return the following Monday, Nov. 30, or later.
An estimated 19,400 travelers will use other modes of transportation such as train, bus or boat – a 1.4% decrease from last year.
Hotel rates are expected to remain flat, with travelers spending an average of $155 per night for AAA Three Diamond Rated lodgings. The average rate for an AAA Two Diamond Rated hotel has risen 4% with an average nightly cost of $118. AAA rates hotels from one to five Diamonds based on standards in physical attributes, hospitality and amenities. AAA Three Diamond hotels represent the largest number of AAA rated accommodations.
Daily car rental rates are 8% higher than last Thanksgiving and will average $60.
South Carolina Department of Transportation prohibits lane closures on interstate highways and high-volume multi-lane routes during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, considered to be from noon on Wednesday, Nov. 25, until 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 30.
For the latest on construction delays, go to the South Carolina Department of Transportation website, www.scdot.org.
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.
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