COLUMBIA − Over 55 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, American Automobile Association (AAA) spokesperson Nick Chabarria said. That period starts next Wednesday and ends the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 26.
Missouri’s gas price average is $2.955, nearly 4 cents less than the national average, which is $3.333, according to AAA. County retail prices show Cooper County has the lowest gas price on average in KOMU 8 News’ viewing area, with $2.733. These numbers are updated daily.
Gas in Missouri is 30 cents cheaper than it was last month and it’s 40 cents cheaper than this time last year, Chabarria said.
The main factor contributing to the lower gas prices is a drop in crude oil prices.
“Crude oil accounts for about 60% of the final price that drivers pay at the pump,” Chabarria said.
Gas prices could fluctuate next week as demand increases while more travelers hit the road.
If drivers are planning a road trip, Chabarria offered the following tips to help increase gas mileage:
- Make sure to keep up with regular maintenance (oil change every 5,000 miles
- Check tire pressure
- Pack light and don’t try to overfill the car
TSA expected to screen 30 million passengers nationwide
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began its Thanksgiving travel tracking period Friday. The agency expects to screen 30 million passengers nationwide from Friday through Tuesday, Nov. 28, according to a press release.
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“We expect this holiday season to be our busiest ever. In 2023, we have already seen seven of the top 10 busiest travel days in TSA’s history,” TSA administrator David Pekoske said in the release.
At peak travel periods over the holidays in mid-Missouri, TSA screens about 400 passengers at Columbia Regional Airport (COU), TSA regional spokesperson Mark Howell said. The busiest days will be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after.
Even though COU’s figures aren’t as jaw-dropping compared to the rest of the country, it’s going to be busy across the network altogether, Howell said.
Passengers who are traveling to larger cities should keep in mind planes are expected to be full, and Howell recommends still getting to the airport two hours ahead of departure.
Another process that slows down airport travel is luggage.
“Make sure you know what’s in your bag,” Howell said. “Whenever agents run into prohibited items, it slows down the whole process.”
He said that stops fliers from getting to their respective gates sooner.
Howell said an easy way to remember how to pack any items suspicious of violating the three fluid-ounce rule is to think, “If you can pump it, pour it, spray it, or spread it, and it’s more than 3 fluid ounces,” it must be checked.
If passengers have leftover food they plan to travel with after Thanksgiving, Howell said they can bring them through security as long as items are frozen when passengers arrive at the security checkpoint. Solids are okay to bring, but if there are any liquids over the 3 fluid ounce limit, they will need to go with checked luggage.