Gas prices impacting holiday travel plans

While COVID-19 changed Thanksgiving celebrations across the nation the last two years, it appears a return to a more normalized holiday celebration may have to wait another year.

A poll of 7,233 Americans conducted by Gunther VW Coconut Creek, a Florida-based car dealership, says millions of people will be scaling down their Thanksgiving plans this year due to the rise in gas prices.

Broken down by state, Vermonters are the most unwilling to travel, according to the study; they are only prepared to travel 21 miles, in an attempt to save money.

Alternatively, anyone with family living in Rhode Island or North Dakota would be more likely to receive a visit, as people in both states were willing to travel the furthest: 150 miles.

The survey also revealed other interesting results about how inflation will change this year’s celebrations. Should they have to travel far to visit friends and family, 19 percent said they would suggest friends or family to contribute to their travel costs (gas essentially).

Perhaps an indication of how priorities have changed in recent years, half of people surveyed admit they would prefer to stay home this Thanksgiving to use the saved gas money on Black Friday deals.

Furthermore, one in five said that even if they can’t see family face-to-face this year, they will have a virtual Thanksgiving to make up for it.

Twenty-one percent of survey respondents stated that the higher cost of ingredients would impact on their plans. They said they are prepared to cancel the traditional Thanksgiving menu of turkey and all the trimmings, and opt for a cheaper and low-cost meal instead.

Over a third of those hosting Thanksgiving this November plan to invite less guests, and of those who are cooking, a whopping 68 percent say they expect to have less leftovers available, given the high price of food.

For more information about Gunther VW of Coconut Creek and their study, visit https:// www.gunthervw.net/ trimmed-thanksgiving. htm