Whether traveling by plane, train or automobile on the busiest travel day of the year, Mother Nature is doing her best to make certain it won’t be easy to get to your destination on Wednesday.
Many assume the typical flight change fees of $150, for domestic flights, or $300, for international flights, would apply to folks trying to juggle things to avoid Wednesday’s predicted snowstorm. However, most airlines announced on Monday afternoon that they are granting weather waivers to those wishing to change or cancel their travel plans for Wednesday.
This year, an estimated 46.3 million travelers --over 4.2 percent more than last year--are expected to travel this week. Of the overall number, more than 89 percent, or 41.3 million, plan to travel more than 50 miles by motor vehicle, a figure 4.3 percent higher than last year. Air travel is also expected to be at its highest level since 2007, with 3.55 million people flying.
Nationwide, motorists have been enjoying the lowest fuel prices in four years. Monday’s national average price for a gallon of regular is $2.81,which is 47 cents lower than the $3.28 average price seen during Thanksgiving a year ago. This is the first time since November of 2010 that the national average has fallen below the $3 mark.
Average Connecticut prices have also had a welcome relief for road trippers. The average statewide price of $3.17, as of last Thursday, is 43 cents lower than this time last year. The last time the average price was this low was in December of 2010.
