Cheap gas and safety fears driving many Thanksgiving travelers to hit the road

Business

Cheap gas and safety fears driving many Thanksgiving travelers to hit the road

Low gas prices were driving more people to hit the road to reach their Thanksgiving celebrations, and airports were bustling today as travelers flying to meet family and friends braved long lines and fears over the heightened risk of terrorism. An improving economy and the cheapest gasoline since 2008 are responsible for the spike in travelers on the road, boasting the most traffic since 2007. Anyone trekking to a major airport should factor in 50 extra minutes, according to the traffic data company INRIX.

Although there have been no changes to the nation’s terror alert status, the recent attacks in Paris, West Africa and elsewhere prompted the State Department to warn U.S. travelers about the risks overseas, causing many to take advantage of the lower gas prices to get across country for the holiday. According to AAA spokeswoman Susan Hiltz, Americans also prefer auto travel because it provides more control over cost, trip distance and duration. Still, many are braving the airports to make a firm point that they will not concede to terrorism.