Turkey travel

POST FALLS - AAA Idaho predicts an increase in Thanksgiving travel, but credit that to a longing to be with family, not gas prices.

The travel agency expects 14 percent of the state's population - a 4.1 percent increase from a year ago - will travel at least 50 miles from home during the holiday.

The prediction is "not because of any major improvements in the overall economic market, and obviously not with the help of gasoline prices, but because there is a pent-up demand among Americans to spend time with family," said Dave Carlson, AAA spokesman.

Post Falls' Sam Downs, who filled up on Monday, is among those who plans to hit the road. He and his family plan to travel to the Seattle area to visit relatives.

"I don't think the economy is getting better - and it may be awhile before it does - but we believe it's still important to get out of town every now and then," he said. "The holidays are about spending time and catching up with family. It's important, but that doesn't mean we go out and blow money, either."

Others, such as Rathdrum's Denise Johnson, will be content at home.

"We're not venturing out because we just don't know how the roads will be," she said. "We'll just make it a family day at home. We just don't like the stress of worrying about the roads this time of year. They can change in a hurry."

Gas prices averaged $3.54 a gallon in Coeur d'Alene on Monday and $3.52 in Post Falls - more than the state's average of $3.46 and the nation's $3.35. The local prices have gradually come down in the past six months, but are still about 60 cents higher than they were last year at this time.

"This year's prices have been anything but normal," said Carlson, adding that prices for this year will go down as among the highest ever.

Higher oil prices earlier in the year led the national average price to $3.95, about a dollar higher at one point than the highest prices from 2010. Idaho trailed the national average during six of the past 10 months, but Idaho prices have been higher than the national average since August.

Idaho gas prices have not dropped consistent with oil prices which were as low as $75.67 on Oct. 4 and which topped $102 last week, Carlson said.

Carlson said the difference in prices across the state depends on where gas is refined and distributed. Southern Idaho is served by Salt Lake and Wyoming refineries, while most of the local gas is refined in Washington, where the average price on Monday was $3.70.

Climatologist Cliff Harris said precipitation is likely on Thanksgiving day, but it's unclear if it will be mostly rain or snow.

"We're warming up from the cold weekend and the snow is turning to rain," Harris said. "There may be more rain on Wednesday, but as we get toward Thanksgiving Day the rain could turn to snow."

Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-40s on Wednesday and upper 30s to lower 40s on Thanksgiving.

Harris said travelers are urged to use caution over the passes, especially as the temperatures dip to freezing, and allow plenty of time to get where they're going.