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NEWS BRIEFS
AAA expects busy highways during holiday week
Passengers depart from a U.S. Airways flight from Charlotte on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, at Tri-State Airport.
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HUNTINGTON -- Despite higher gasoline prices, more people are expected to travel by automobile this week than did in 2008.
"It is really going to be a very busy holiday travel season," said Greg Beheler, regional manager for AAA. "We are expecting an increase over last year by about 1.4 percent."
AAA is estimating 38.4 million people across the nation will travel 50 miles or more this week; of that number 33.2 million will be driving, an increase of more than 2 percent over last year.
"This is really typical of Thanksgiving and this type of holiday," Beheler said. "People want to get together with family, and they may have put off a summer vacation to make sure they can do this."
Martha Pumphrey and her 6-year-old son, Ryan, will be among them.
The two will leave Wednesday from Branchland and head to her boyfriend's home in the Fairmont area.
The trip will take about three hours one way.
Gas prices are up by about $.57 since last year, with the current national average at $2.63 per gallon.
The average in West Virginia right now is $2.71, up from last year's $2.19. And Huntington's average is $2.61 per gallon, up from $2.17 last year.
These figures are all according to AAA statistics.
"(Gas prices) are not affecting my Thanksgiving plans," Pumphrey said.
"No price will stop me from being with my family."
She is ready for any number of cars on the road, and even has an alternate route planned in case it would be needed.
"Anything to get there quicker," she said.
Beheler said this is a good idea for anyone planning hitting the roads this week.
"Certainly with this number of people traveling, there is going to be congestion," he said.
He warns that people need to remember to follow posted speed limits and to wear seat belts.
"It is so important," he said. "And, it's the law."
While 86 percent of travelers will be driving this Thanksgiving, only an estimated 6 percent will be flying.
The remaining people will use other means such as train and bus.
Although AAA predicts a drop of almost 7 percent in flyers from last year, another group - the Air Transit Association - predicts a drop of at least 4 percent.
Earlier this month, the group released this figure to the Associated Press, and warned travelers that although fewer people will be heading to airports, travelers still needed to be early and pack light for their Thanksgiving trips.
With fewer tickets purchased, many airlines have cut flights. Fewer flights available mean each will likely be packed.
The group told the AP that the four busiest travel days around Thanksgiving are expected to be Monday, Nov. 30; Sunday, Nov. 29; Friday, Nov. 20; and Wednesday, Nov. 25, the day before the holiday.
If a traveler hasn't purchased airline tickets yet, he or she will likely pay a hefty amount.
Even on discount Web sites such as cheaptickets.com, flights from Huntington to New York are going for about $500, depending on the dates selected.
Tickets from Huntington to Atlanta are as much as $875.
Regardless of traveling means, Beheler suggests planning ahead and potentially breaking up long commutes.
"Getting there is really half the fun," he said. "Stop and enjoy some things along the way."
