AAA Chicago sees record holiday travel, average gas price here seen at $2.40 per gallon

Posted on December 22, 2017
Gas pump
The average price of gasoline in Bloomington-Normal during the holiday season is $2.40 per gallon, according to AAA Chicago. (Flickr/Mike Mozart)

By Howard Packowitz

It will cost a little more to fill your gas tank in Bloomington-Normal before hitting the road this holiday season, compared to the same time last year. However, Beth Mosher of AAA Chicago said the price is reasonable given the turnaround in the economy and consumers having more disposable income.

“In Bloomington, we’re seeing an average of about $2.40 (per gallon) right now for gas prices. That’s down a little bit from where we were a month ago, but still up from last year’s prices,” Mosher told WJBC’s Sam Wood.

Mosher said AAA expects this year will produce highest volume ever for holiday travelers, whether they’re driving, taking the train, or flying.

She estimated a 2.3 percent increase in Illinois travelers compared to the same time a year ago.

Mosher said AAA predicts 303,000 Illinois air travelers, compared to six million nationwide.

Mosher reminds flyers not to wrap gifts because Transportation Security Administration workers will have to unwrap them to check what’s in the packages.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…