AAA: 2017 year-end travel and gas prices by the numbers

Kansans joining the record number of Americans planning 2017 year-end holiday trips

TOPEKA – A record number of travelers will be setting off for holiday visits and vacations this year, with peak travel time coinciding with the first day of winter, and the ever-present possibility of winter weather impacting travel.

“The vast majority of this year’s holiday journeys will be road trips on our state’s and nation’s highways, so we’re reminding people to make sure both their cars and their cards – AAA membership cards – are ready,” said Shawn Steward, AAA Kansas spokesman. “Some simple yet important car maintenance, especially with batteries and tires, can prevent you from being stranded during your holiday road trip. But if a breakdown happens, our AAA roadside service will be available to help.”

AAA Kansas provides this snapshot – by the numbers — of some of AAA’s key travel forecast projections, latest gas prices, car maintenance tips and road trip recommendations for the year-end 2017 holiday travel period:

TRAVEL FORECAST

107.3 million – The record number of Americans nationwide who will journey away from home this holiday season, a 3.1 percent increase over last year.

8.7 million – Number of people in the West North Central Region (in which Kansas is included, along with Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska and South Dakota) who will take year-end holiday week trips, a 2.8 percent increase over 2016 and the largest number of travelers on record for this holiday period.

2,400 – Number of motorists that AAA Kansas Roadside Assistance expects to rescue during the year-end 2017 travel period from December 23 through January 1, 2018.

901,600 – Number of motorists nationwide that AAA expects to rescue with roadside assistance this Thanksgiving weekend, with the primary reasons being battery-related issues, flat tires and lockouts.

90 – Percent of all travelers nationally – 97.4 million – who are planning a driving road trip, an increase of 3 percent over last year.

20 & 21 – December dates when drivers can expect the greatest amount of traffic suggestion, especially in larger metro areas and between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and, when commuters leave work early and mix with holiday travelers.

6.4 million – Number of travelers nationwide who will fly to their holiday destination. With a 4.1 percent increase over last year, air travel is the mode of travel that will see the largest growth this year.

$165 – Average price for a round-trip flight for the top 40 domestic routes According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index — the lowest average in five years and a 20 percent fare drop from the 2016 holiday travel period.

5 – Top 5 destinations for the year-end 2017 holidays, according to AAA.combookings: Orlando, Florida; Anaheim, California; Cancun, Mexico; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Kahului (Maui), Hawaii.

11 – Percent increase in daily car rental price from this time in 2016. Travelers can expect to spend $74/day, the highest rate for the year-end travel period since 2013.

GAS PRICES

2014 – Last year that drivers faced December gas prices as high as this year.

$2.43 – National gas price average as of 12/18/17, 12 cents less than one month ago and 19 cents more than a year ago.

$2.25 – Average Kansas price for a gallon of gas as of 12/18/17.

8 – Kansas’ rank of states with the largest gas price decline in the past month. Kansas’ average per-gallon price has fallen 16 cents in the past month.

$2.06 – 12/18/16 gas price in Kansas.

11 – Kansas’ rank of states with the lowest gas prices in America as of 12/18/17.

$2.52 – Average gas price in Marysville, Kan. (Marshall County), the highest in the state as of 12/17/17.

67035 – ZIP code of Cunningham, Kan. (Kingman County), which boasts Kansas’ lowest average gas price this week at $2.10/gallon.

AAA WINTER WEATHER VEHICLE PREPARATIONS

Batteries

AAA Kansas says the average car battery lasts 3-5 years.
Even at 32 degrees, a battery is 35 percent weaker.
At zero degrees, a car’s battery loses about 60 percent of its strength, yet the engine needs about twice as much power to start.
A battery’s life can be drained faster if devices are plugged into cars (cell phone chargers, upgraded audio and GPS devices)

Tires

AAA Kansas also recommends checking tire pressure since tires need more air when it is cold.
Proper cold weather tire pressure can be found in the vehicle manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s door, not on the tire itself.

Winter Vehicle Emergency Kit

Motorists are advised to pack a winter emergency kit now to stow in the trunk of their vehicle to have immediately available should the need arise. More than 40 percent of motorists do not carry an emergency kit in their vehicle, cautions AAA Kansas.

Emergency kit items to include – de-icer, shovel, ice scraper, sand or kitty litter (for traction)
Pack a blanket, extra gloves and hat, heavy coat – if you’re stuck on the road for an extended period of time you’ll need to stay warm, especially if your vehicle is not running
Pack snacks, beverages, etc. – Also remember extra provisions if your pet is traveling with you
Charge your cell phone – have a backup power source for the car in case you’re stuck for a while
Make sure your windshield wipers and lights (headlights, taillights, turn signals) are working properly – make sure you can see and can be seen
Keep a FULL tank of gas

AAA ROAD TRIP TIPS

With busier roads during the holiday season, obey posted speed limits and leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
Have everyone in your vehicle buckle their seat belts
Avoid distractions while driving. Don’t use your cell phone while you’re behind the wheel. If needed, let a passenger respond to a message or look something up on your phone.
For help in planning your road trip, for discounts with many travel partners such as hotels and Hertz rental cars, and for the peace-of-mind provided by AAA emergency roadside assistance should a breakdown occur, making sure your membership is active or joining AAA is important and as simple as going to www.AAA.com.
Find daily gas price updates for every state in America and key metro areas using AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report at GasPrices.AAA.comor via the AAA mobile app.
Never drink and drive, and remember, buzzed driving is drunk driving. Plan ahead and have a designated driver or organize a ride if you’ll be consuming alcohol.
Pack your patience, have a safe trip and enjoy the holidays.

AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 58 million members nationwide and more than 342,000 members in Kansas. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. AAA is a not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit www.AAA.com.