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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Even though many families will have to tighten their belts for a leaner “Turkey Day” feast, that’s not stopping them from gathering with family and friends to celebrate one of the most traveled holiday weekends of the year.
AAA Northern California’s latest travel survey predicts more than 5.2 million Californians plan to travel 50 miles or more this extended, four-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This represents an overall increase of 11.2 percent compared to last year.
“While Californians remain cautious regarding their household expenditures, analysts believe that Californians are slightly better off financially than they were a year ago and that the economy is inching its way along to a recovery,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “This improvement, added to the strong desire to spend time with family and friends, is expected to propel a significant increase in Thanksgiving travel.”
Road trips remain the most prevalent mode of transportation and AAA projects more than 4.7 million Californians will travel by motor vehicle during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
This represents a 12.1 percent increase compared to last year. Just over 300,000 holiday travelers are forecasted to fly, which is an increase of 3.6 percent compared to last year.
More than 140,000 state residents are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, such as boats or trains. This represents a decrease of less than one percent compared to last year.
Nationally, AAA forecasts over 42 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the four-day weekend. That’s an 11.4 percent increase compared to last year.
An average West Coast family of four will spend an average of $619 over the holiday weekend. Families who travel by car will drive an average of 1,162 miles over the four day holiday weekend. AAA’s Leisure Travel Index reveals that AAA Three Diamond lodgings are likely to increase six percent from a year ago with an average price of $136 per night. AAA Two Diamond lodgings are expected to be four percent higher, with an average room costing $96 per night.
According to AAA’s latest travel survey, airfares during the holiday weekend are expected to increase four percent from last year. This Thanksgiving weekend, the average lowest round-trip rate is projected to be $176 for the top 40 U.S. air routes. Car rental rates will decrease four percent to an average of $42 over the holiday weekend.
As part of AAA’s ongoing commitment to provide safety and protection to motorists, AAA’s Tipsy Tow Program offers a free tow for drinking drivers in Northern California from 6 p.m. on Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving Day), until 6 a.m. on Nov. 26, in Northern California, Nevada and Utah. Members and non-members alike can call (800) 222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow of up to five miles.
“Just tell the AAA operator, ‘I need a Tipsy Tow,’ and a truck will be on its way,” said Harris. “Service is restricted to a one-way ride for the driver and his or her vehicle to the driver’s home.”
For those planning to travel by air, AAA suggests booking your flight any day except a Tuesday or Sunday. This will save you up to $170 on average. Tuesday before Thanksgiving is the most popular date to fly and the airlines know it. Travel on Thanksgiving Day and return the following Tuesday for the cheapest fares.
Planning ahead also is important. The longer you wait, the higher the price as flights become booked. Surcharges increase from $10 to $30 dollars extra on peak travel days.
When good deals come along, grab them – don’t wait before others start booking flights and airlines shift their pricing to match booking trends.
For more information visit at www.aaa.com/travel.
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According to AAA’s latest report, all but one metro area tracked by AAA saw an increase at the pump over the past month.
California’s average gas price is the third highest among all 50 states. The Golden State’s average for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $3.14, up four cents since last month’s report on Oct. 12. For perspective, that’s 15 cents higher than California’s average price on this date last year, when it was $2.99.
Northern California gas prices are now averaging $3.17, up six cents from last month. In the San Francisco Bay Area, motorists can expect to pay an average price of $3.23, which is a 5-cent increase.
The national average price of $2.86 is up by five cents, which is 20 cents more than the national price on this date last year, when it was $2.66.
Seasonal refinery maintenance along with the high price of crude oil are two of the major factors driving up gas prices.
Crude oil has remained above the $80 per barrel range, pushing gas prices up along with it. A primary reason crude oil is so high is due to the weak U.S. dollar. Since oil is priced in dollars, a weak dollar makes crude cheaper for those using other currencies to purchase it.
“Oil stockpiles are at their highest levels in six months, but pump prices aren’t dropping, thanks in part to a lack of gasoline reserves,” explained AAA Northern California spokesperson Matt Skryja. “This lack of gasoline supply is being attributed to autumn maintenance at oil refineries across the country, which has cut down on how much gas they are producing.”
A recent report from the Department of Energy showed that U.S. crude oil stockpiles jumped nearly two million barrels to 368.2 million – their highest levels since May 15, 2009.
Normally, this might lead to a drop in prices. However, a larger-than-normal draw of 2.7 million barrels for gasoline stockpiles overrode those builds. Usually a drawdown in gas stockpiles would be seen as a positive economic indicator.
However, this time, the drawdown is being partly attributed to U.S. refineries not making as much gasoline as they normally would, because they are performing autumn maintenance. As the maintenance period wraps up, these refineries are expected to come back online over the coming weeks, which will increase the supply of refined product in the market.
The least expensive average price in Northern California can be found in Chico, Marysville and Tracy where regular is $3.10.
Of all the metro areas in Northern California where gas prices are tracked by AAA, Eureka’s average price of $3.33 is the highest. It’s also the highest price reported by AAA in the lower 48 states.
The least expensive gasoline in the country is found in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where the average price of gas is $2.61.
Wailuku, Hawaii, holds the dubious crown for the highest average price in the nation, at $3.92 per gallon.
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Receipts for the month were $232.3 million, or 4.6 percent, above the recently enacted state budget estimates.
“The record 100 day budget stalemate pushed us past the point of having enough cash on hand to pay more than $8 billion in outstanding bills that came due when the budget was signed,” said Controller Chiang.
“Thankfully, the state received the proceeds from an interim cash flow borrowing that allowed us to start paying the $5.5 billion in payments delayed by the budget for tax refunds, community colleges and school districts,” Chiang added.
Corporate taxes were up $26.8 million (8.8 percent), personal income taxes came in $63.8 million above (1.8 percent) estimates, and Sales and use tax revenues were $108.7 million above (13.1 percent) estimates.
Expenditures for the fiscal year were $786 million more than budget act estimates. However, the budget assumed that billions of payments would be deferred from October to November until the state could obtain an external cash flow borrowing.
The state obtained the proceeds of an interim cash flow borrowing on Oct. 28, which allowed the controller to make payments in October, and the variance will be offset in the future.
The state’s $17.5 billion cash deficit is being covered by $10.8 billion of internal borrowing and $6.7 billion in external borrowing.
October 2010's financial statement and the summary analysis can be found on the controller's Web site at www.sco.ca.gov.
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The workshop will be held beginning at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
Bill Stone, owner of A&B Collision in Clearlake, will tell you firsthand how the next two speakers saved his company thousands of dollars a year.
Jeanette Hinojosa of the Energy Fitness Program will talk about energy saving lighting and
more.
Julie Price, Lake County Waste Solutions and Clearlake Waste Solutions, will explain how recycling can save your business thousands of dollars.
Register online at www.lakecochamber.com.
The workshop is free to Lake County Chamber members and only $10 for not yet Lake County Chamber members.
Every attendee will receive a free CFL light bulb just for attending.