By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square(The Center Square) – With Thanksgiving right around the corner, Virginia drivers are heading into the holiday week with steady gas prices and no major surprises at the pump.
The statewide average is sitting just under $3 per gallon, giving most families a familiar start as they plan their trips, according to Gasbuddy.
Even with stable prices, fewer Americans say they expect to hit the road this year. A new Thanksgiving Travel Survey shows about 60% of people plan to travel for the holiday, down from 72% last year.
The survey also found that 74% of drivers say gas prices do not influence their plans, and only about one-quarter expect to drive more than 100 miles.
Nationally, the average price of gas is $3.11 per gallon. That is up about 6 cents from a year ago. Diesel is averaging $3.81 per gallon.
Maryland’s statewide average is matching the national price at $3.11 per gallon.
Prices can still vary across Virginia, with some of the lowest stations reporting prices in the mid-$2.40s and higher-demand areas sitting closer to $3.
For Virginians heading north, Maryland’s Transportation Authority is advising travelers to expect typical holiday congestion on the Bay Bridge and along the I-95 corridor from Tuesday through Sunday.
The agency released suggested travel windows this week and said the heaviest delays usually appear around midday Wednesday and again through the weekend.
Recent price data shows only small day-to-day changes in both Virginia and Maryland, keeping statewide averages in a narrow range as the holiday week gets underway.