Lower gas prices won’t mean big increase in number of holiday travelers

Gas prices aren’t squeezing consumers as tightly as they were a couple of months ago, but that doesn’t mean motorists will be traveling in greater numbers to grandma’s house this Thanksgiving holiday.

Auto travel is expected to rise just .6 percent from last year despite gas prices dropping nearly a dollar since Labor Day, according to AAA Carolinas.

South Carolina’s prices have dropped 98 cents from an average price of $3.15 to $2.17 since Labor Day, AAA Carolinas said.

Motorists in the Spartanburg area are paying on average $2.14 for a gallon of gas — the cheapest in the state.

Charleston motorists are paying the highest prices at the pumps — $2.25.

Nationally, AAA estimates that

holiday travel will increase a modest

.8 from last year. Nationally, the

average price of a gallon of gas is

$2.29.

Unlike the roads, the skies — and airports —

should be busier than ever this Thanksgiving. Air travel is expected to soar by more than 3 percent from last year’s numbers.