More expected to drive, fewer to fly Thanksgiving week

This year, more people across the country who are traveling this week are expected to drive, and less are expected to fly to their Thanksgiving destination.

AAA said about 33.2 million people will travel by car this year for Thanksgiving, a 2.1 percent jump from 2008. The numbers were based on a survey of 1,350 households.

Coastal Carolina University student Ashley Woodring plans on driving 13 hours home to Orange County, New York.

“Definitely because the rise in prices. It’s making it impossible to fly,“ said Woodring.

AAA said air travel is expected to dip 6.7 percent, with about 2.3 million people booking holiday flights.

Instead of paying for plane tickets, Woodring says she’ll split the gas with her boyfriend and her puppy Tucker can ride for free.

“We have the dog now and it’s an extra $100 to bring the dog both ways. Also, it is $50 now for luggage. If your bag’s over 50 pounds, it’s $50 automatically,“ said Woodring.

Extra luggage fees are among the reasons why Arturo Robinson is cruising home in his Cadillac to Virginia instead of taking a flight.

“The expense of the airports. You know it’s just every time you turn around there’s something new that you gotta’ come up with money for….(traveling by car) you can bring what you want. You don’t have to worry about being inspected at the airports. It’s more of a convenience,“ said Robinson.

He’s one of many people to say he’ll take more time to travel by car to spend less money on a flight.

“It’s 13 hours for us. It is a pain in the neck. But, we’ll probably leave at 5 o’clock in the morning and just make a day out of it,” said Woodring.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is recommending people avoid driving late at night or too early in the morning, especially since drunken driving collisions are greater during those times.