Holiday travel increases as gas prices drop

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A record number of people are getting in their cars to get away for July 4th holiday weekend.

“It’s more like Christmas in July,” says Billy Jones who is from Cedartown, Georgia.

He and others are taking advantage of super low prices at the pump. In many places, prices are below $2.00.

“You got people that can’t afford to go when prices are real high so when they lower the prices, you get more people on the road, they’re able to go to the beach, go spend time with their family, go do whatever they need to do,” Jones explains.

Gas experts say more than 37 million people around the country are traveling for the holiday. We saw license plates from Illinois to Texas just to name a few.

Michael Duncan made a stop to fill up. He’s making his way from Jacksonville, Florida to Evansville, Indiana.

“If it was 4 or 5 dollars, I wouldn’t want to go on a long trip like that, 12 or 13 hour drive and since it’s like $1.99 to $2, I’m like yeah I’m going to go on this trip because I can actually afford it,” Duncan says.

Everyone is enjoying the lowest summer gas prices. In fact, it’s something that many haven’t seen in over a decade.

“It’s about time. I can actually go somewhere now and take my grand kids somewhere. It’s great,” says Pamela Hodge who lives in Cochran.

Some people say paying less at the pump, means more money in their wallets.

Selwyn Moran traveled from Orlando, Florida to Warner Robins to visit family. He says, “Cheaper prices meaning we can do more, more money in our pocket and spend money shopping.”

The savings are putting everyone in a good mood behind the wheel.

Triple a says this Independence Day weekend will be historic–in terms of travel. The last time gas prices were this low was in 2005.