GAITHERSBURG, Md. -- When Americans hit the road this year for Thanksgiving family gatherings, 31% of us say we'll be traveling more than 500 miles and another 31% will travel between 200 and 500 miles. This year, 92% are driving and just 6.5% say they will fly.
Of more than 81,000 Americans that GasBuddy surveyed this month, 71% said they expect to spend less on Thanksgiving this year.
"The Thanksgiving holiday is such a deeply rooted part of who we are that families will always do what it takes to bring everybody together regardless of fuel prices," said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. "But the mood we're getting from our survey results suggests that notably lower gas prices have brought a sense of relief, perhaps some optimism, and also a sense of caution."
Among those traveling, more than 16% say that savings from lower gas prices is leading them to alter their plans. For some that may mean stretching the Thanksgiving holiday, and/or avoiding traffic.
When do we go?
- 36% say their Thanksgiving travel begins on Thanksgiving Day.
- 30% said it starts the day before.
- 18% say they are hitting the road two to three days before.
What about the return trip home?
- 25% say they will drive home later on Thanksgiving Day.
- The majority, 42% say they will wait two to three days and drive home Saturday or Sunday.
- 22% expect to hit the road with a fresh start the next morning.
How well prepared are we?
- 95% of respondents have a smart phone.
- 52% say they use two to three travel apps for their Thanksgiving travels.
- 34% will actively use four or more apps.
How much are we saving?
- Economists say most of us have saved at least $500 since June. Among consumers who use the GasBuddy app, 43% say they save from six to nine cents per gallon on every purchase.
- 26% say they save from 10 to 14 cents per gallon.
- 10% say they save from 15 to 30 cents per gallon.
From Thanksgiving through the following Sunday, motorists collectively will save more than $650 million on gasoline versus what they spent last Thanksgiving, said GasBuddy, or more than $160 million a day.
Gaithersburg, Md.-based GasBuddy is a leading source for real-time local gas prices. Founded in 2000, GasBuddy.com developed as an initiative to provide consumers access to local, current gas prices.
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