Cheap gas fueling Thanksgiving travel; snow possible Thursday
Updated: 1:34 p.m. | Posted: 8:30 a.m.
Hitting the road today or tomorrow for Thanksgiving?
An estimated 46.9 million Americans are expected to travel by car, plane, bus or train at least 50 miles from home over the long holiday weekend, according to the motoring organization AAA. That would be an increase of more than 300,000 people over last year, and the most travelers since 2007.
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Among the reasons given for the increase: an improving economy and the cheapest gasoline for this time of year since 2008.
The average price for a gallon of regular gas is $1.98 in the Twin Cities, according to GasBuddy.com. And that's not even the lowest of the low — the cheapest price that has been spotted in the last 24 hours is $1.76 in Champlin, Minn.
A year ago, motorists were paying about $2.72 per gallon for regular gas.
Nationally, the average price for a gallon of regular gas is $2.05.
Anyone trekking to a major airport should factor in 50 extra minutes on the road, according to the traffic date company INRIX — and that's just getting to the airport, never mind getting through security.
Though there have been no changes to the nation's terror alert status, the recent attacks in Paris, West Africa and elsewhere prompted the State Department to warn American travelers about the risks overseas.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport spokesperson Patrick Hogan says lines are moving steadily but those flying should allow for extra time.
Hogan says about 110,000 people a day are expected to pass through the airport this weekend. He says it's a busy travel weekend around the county but only slightly busier than a typical weekend in Minnesota.
Meanwhile, we could be in store for a white Thanksgiving.
The National Weather Service says there's a chance of patchy fog and drizzle throughout Wednesday, changing into a wintry mix by Thursday morning.
By the time you're done feasting in the evening, "locations from the Twin Cities south and east could see 1-3" of accumulation," the weather service says.
Expect highs in the 30s on Thursday, which is right around the average and significantly warmer than last year (although it pales in comparison to 2012, when the high was a balmy 60 degrees). The high in the Twin Cities on Thanksgiving was only 10 degrees in 2014. The low was minus 4.
We aren't expected to hit subzero temps this year. And for that, we give thanks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.