Turkey time treat

COEUR d'ALENE - When Charlotte Brunson pulled into a Coeur d'Alene gas station Monday, there was a welcome surprise awaiting.

"I really like where gas prices are at," the Coeur d'Alene woman said with a smile as she began filling up. "I could get used to this really fast."

The average price of a gallon of regular in Coeur d'Alene on Monday was $3.01 - down 22 cents from a month ago and 43 cents from a year ago at this time, according to AAA. In Post Falls, the average is $3.08, down 34 cents from a month ago.

Several stations in Kootenai County are selling gas for less than $3.

"Coeur d'Alene has enjoyed some of the lower prices in the state in the past month or so," said Dave Carlson, AAA Idaho spokesman.

The average price in Idaho on Monday was $3.23 and the nation $3.28.

"Idaho had the dubious distinction of having gas prices substantially (18 to 30 cents) higher than the U.S. average for five months," Carlson said.

Idaho's price, which had been among the highest in the nation for months, has dropped 33 cents in the past month.

"Gas prices heading in two different directions crossed paths over the weekend," said Carlson, referring to the Idaho and national price averages. "The national average hit its lowest point two weeks ago at $3.18 a gallon and has been on the rise since then, primarily caused by some sharp increases on the East Coast."

AAA expects the lower local gas prices will be around for awhile, Carlson said.

"Prices in the region may continue to decline in the next couple of weeks and the moderately priced product will be around for a couple months, barring unforeseen increases in the cost of oil or in tight supplies coming from the refineries," Carlson said.

Brunson and her family plan to travel to central Washington this week to spend time with relatives during Thanksgiving.

"It can be more of a weather event over Christmas, so we're doing our traveling now before the snow flies," she said.

The 43.4 million Americans expected to travel 50 miles or more during this year's Thanksgiving holiday period will be down 1.5 percent from 44 million a year ago, but the numbers should exceed the 12-year average, according to AAA. Idaho is expected to fare better with a .8 percent decline.

Fourteen percent (195,000) of all Idahoans are expected to travel during the holiday period from Wednesday to Sunday.

This year's travel volumes will remain well above 2008 and 2009 levels when the recession resulted in a 25 percent drop in travel, Carlson said.

"While there's some uncertainty in the economy and a more sluggish pace of recovery, millions of Americans will make a way to feast with family and friends," Carlson said. "Carving out a travel budget will be easier because Thanksgiving will be the least expensive holiday of the year."

An analysis by IHS Global Insight prepared for AAA shows this year's overall travel volumes will be affected by the economic headwinds associated with the government shutdown, slower economic growth and reduced consumer spending.

On the other hand, AAA said the nation will pay the cheapest gas prices for the Thanksgiving holiday since 2010.