Wednesday, November 24, 1999
A record number of travelers are hitting the road this week

A record 33.8 million travelers are hitting the roads and skies this week to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.

But, according to a recent AAA Auto Club South survey, drivers will be paying 22 cents a gallon more for gas than last Thanksgiving.

The statewide average for self-serve unleaded is $1.10, compared to 88 cents last year.

“Even though gasoline prices are at a three-year high, we don't anticipate this will negatively impact the Thanksgiving travel holiday,” said Yoli Buss, director of traffic safety for AAA Auto Club South. “AAA estimates that 28 million U.S. travelers will hit the roads this Thanksgiving holiday, which is slightly more than last year.”

Thirty seven percent of travelers this year plan to visit cities, while 30 percent will visit towns and rural areas.

The survey also said that the highest volume of motorists, nearly 7 million will come from the Southeastern states.

“Gasoline prices have moved in a downward direction after a four-month run up,” Buss said. “Continued decline in retail demand drove prices down in the past several weeks, but in the last day or two we have noticed that gas prices in certain areas have begun to creep up in anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday.”

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