Hit the holiday road

More than 109 million Americans will celebrate the holidays with a trip to see family and friends, with 593,000 Idahoans among them.

This year, the holiday travel period runs from Thursday through Jan. 2. The busiest days on the roads will be today and Thursday. The busiest day at the airport will be Thursday.

AAA predicts that air travel will increase by 184%, with more than six million people expected to fly this year. Air traffic volumes will return to 92% of pre-pandemic levels.

“This year is being seen as a ‘do-over’ from 2020, and travel volumes have been really strong for every major holiday,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “Whatever the challenges, pent-up travel demand will continue through the end of the year.”

While $3.50 per gallon has historically been the pain threshold that causes many drivers to modify their plans, the desire to make up for lost time may motivate travelers to adjust their budget in other ways this year, according to AAA.

Today, Idaho’s average price for regular fuel is $3.62 per gallon, which is 7 cents less than a month ago and $1.38 more than a year ago. Meanwhile, the national average currently sits at $3.32 per gallon, which is 9 cents less than a month ago and $1.16 more than a year ago.

In Coeur d'Alene, a gallon of regular unleaded ranges in the $3.20s to $3.30s. Prices are about 40 cents a gallon higher in Boise.