Published: November 19, 2007 09:00 am         

Rising gas prices fueling concerns over travel plans

By Lacie Morrison
lmorrison@mineralwellsindex.com

Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner and the holidays are usually synonymous with increased travel, despite the projected increase in fuel prices.

“The interesting trend this holiday season is gas prices,” said Robert L. Darbelnet, president and chief executive officer of AAA, in a statement. “This is the first time that we have seen gas prices topping more than $3 a gallon in November. A year ago, prices were in the range of $2.20 a gallon, so this year travelers are really feeling the pinch.

“But Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for family gatherings and higher gas prices will not discourage Americans from connecting with their loved ones.”

Mineral Wells resident Richie Starr said that gas prices weren’t going to influence his family’s holiday travels as “we go just to the Metroplex.” He noted that they have made other changes in their household to minimize their fuel expenditures.

“Since my wife works out of town, she takes the more economical car because she uses more gas,” he explained.

For Christina Martinez, a close-knit family enables her to spend the time with loved ones without traveling far to see them.

When asked if fuel costs would impact her holiday travels, the Mineral Wells resident said, “Not mine because my family lives here. If I had to travel, that would be a factor.”

Thanks to a career change, Angela Harris, of Santo, is excited about traveling to the Austin-area for family.

“We’re planning on traveling to Bastrop near Austin,” she said. “Because I’m not having to drive to River Oaks every day [for work], we actually are looking forward to traveling.”

She explained that before both she and her husband made career changes from the Metroplex to Mineral Wells, they were spending quite a bit on fuel. Without the daily commute, they’re able to save that money for family travel.

In addition to impacting their holiday travels, Harris said fuel prices changed how she did other activities such as shopping.

“It does make a difference, especially when I was commuting five days a week. I would come through [Mineral Wells] once a week. Now I’m able to run to the store on my way home. If I do make an extra trip in [to town], I don’t feel so bad,” she said.

Another Mineral Wells resident said she doesn’t anticipate changing her holiday plans because of fuel costs; she credits her fuel-efficient car.

“It won’t impact my holiday travel; I get 36 miles per gallon,” said Sherry Lee, who drives a Toyota car. Lee explained that fuel efficiency was a key factor in her vehicle purchasing. “I bought my first car from Lanny Mercer – a Volkswagen – because it got good gas mileage.”

To change her driving habits, Lee speculated that gas would have to reach “well over $3 [per gallon] because I’m going to do it anyway. I’m fortunate in that I don’t have to travel a long way.”

According to AAA, almost 3.4 million Texans are anticipated to travel for the holidays, a 0.7 percent increase from last year. Majority of that travel – approximately 2.87 million – will be driving to their destinations this year.

An estimated 38.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home, stated the AAA. It is a 1.5 percent increase from last year. Majority of those travelers – 31.2 million – will drive, paying approximately $1 more per gallon of gasoline.

The price of crude oil has been trading in the low $90s since last week. Since late August, gas prices have jumped 42 percent to last week’s record of $98.62 per barrel.

“Our advice for travelers this holiday season is to do your homework before you fill your tank for your Thanksgiving excursion. AAA.com can be a great resource,” said Darbelnet.

A few local residents made guesses as to how high regular unleaded gas could reach by Christmas. While Lee speculated it will “stay consistently below $3,” Martinez guessed prices could reach as high as $4.50 per gallon. Martinez added that she doesn’t think “we’ll ever see it back to $2 [per gallon].”

Starr thought that gas will reach $3.15 per gallon while Harris said she would guess $3.50 per gallon, “and that’s pretty conservative.”

Information from the Associated Press was used in this article.