Overall, there will be an expected 4.7 percent decrease in travelers this year. 2.7 million are expected to make the trek during the 12-day holiday beginning on Dec. 23 and running through Jan. 3 across the country.
“Our current economic conditions and future uncertainty are key components of travel expectations this year,” says Dave Parsons, President and CEO of AAA Carolinas. “The state’s economy is not recovering as quickly as hoped.”
Air travel is also expected to decline by 5.9 percent as well.
This comes after AAA predicted that the Thanksgiving holiday would see an increase in the number of Thanksgiving travelers.
According to AAA, gas prices are 92 cents higher than this time last year, although Charlotte reports the highest gas price at $2.60 a gallon.
Travelers from the Carolinas are expected to add an average of 870 miles on their odometers during the holiday and spend an average of $934 on items such as fuel, shopping, entertainment and accommodations.
Additionally, travelers can expect to pay roughly $1 more for car rentals this season, according to AAA, but that hasn’t stopped some local residents from doing so.
“You’re always going to be busy this time of year,” Eric Baldwin, assistant manager of Enterprise in Rockingham said. “Between the holiday and deer season running until the end of January, there’s usually a spike.”
In addition, Bill McQuage, owner of McQuage Auto Rentals in Rockingham, stated that this year hasn’t been much different than any other year as far as rentals are concerned.
“I won’t say it’s been any higher, but not saying that it’s any less,” McQuage said.
Mini-vans, 15-passenger vans and larger sedans tend to be rented most frequently around the season, according to McQuage — especially by larger groups going out to eat for the holiday, sight seeing or taking the vehicle on road trips.
“We do (see an increase in rentals), most any holiday season benefits the auto rental industry,” McQuage said.
An average of four traffic deaths a day have occurred during the past two years on North Carolina roads during this holiday period. AAA urges motorists to be patient with road congestion and obey all traffic laws.
Today will see highs in the mid-50s and partly cloudy, but Christmas Day will see highs in the mid-50s and rain and thunder, according to the National Weather Service.
Lows through the week will remain in the mid to upper 30s.
AAA noted that most major road construction projects will be suspended during the holiday and traffic should flow relatively normal.
I-40 near the Tennessee border this year will remain closed as remnants from a rock slide earlier this year are removed.
Staff writer Bryan Stewart can be reached at 997-3111 ext. 15 or by e-mail at bstewart@yourdailyjournal.com.
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