Thanksgiving Travelers Find Gas Much Less Expensive Than Last Year

ALBUQUERQUE, NM--(Marketwire - November 26, 2008) - New Mexico residents traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend are finding gas more than a dollar less than this time last year. The statewide average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is down 17 cents since last week from $2.155 to $1.981, according to the AAA New Mexico Weekend Gas Watch.

However, the price of gasoline in New Mexico remains 11 cents above the national average which is $1.868 a gallon. The most expensive gas in New Mexico is in the Las Cruces area where prices are averaging $2.017 -- a decline of 23 cents since last week, and a difference of $1.04 at this time last year. The state's cheapest gas is in Albuquerque at $1.812 a gallon, which is almost 14 cents since last week. Santa Fe is reporting a price of $1.979 which is a 17 cent difference.

New Mexico residents traveling to neighboring states this weekend can expect to see gas in Flagstaff for $2.249 and in Tucson for $1.901 a gallon. Those traveling to Denver will see gas averaging $1.717, and travelers in Amarillo this weekend will pay an average of $1.667.

"AAA National anticipates five million motorists will experience vehicle problems this holiday season. Before taking to the road for a long car trip, remember to double check the tires, battery, belts, hoses and fluid levels," said AAA New Mexico spokesperson Sarah Schimmer. "If you plan to travel to a colder climate, don't forget to equip your car with antifreeze."

AAA's network of approved repair facilities is a free public service to help consumers find trustworthy repair shops with certified technicians. Consumers can find Approved Auto Repair facilities online at www.AAA.com/repair.

Before you find yourself stranded along your travel route, AAA New Mexico suggests including the following items in the car:

--  State and local maps
--  Cell phone car charger
--  Fully equipped first aid kit
--  Bottled water
--  Non-perishable foods
--  Tissues and/or pre-moistened towels
--  Blanket or sleeping bag
--  Tool kit including jumper cables and a tire iron
    

Approximately 41 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home for the Thanksgiving holiday, which is a decrease of 1.4 percent from last year's total of 41.6 million. Eighty-one percent of holiday travelers are expected to travel by automobile, 11 percent by airplane, and 8 percent by train.

Area       11/26/08 11/21/08 Difference 11/26/07 Difference  Date    Price
           ======== ======== ========== ======== ========= ======== =======
National     $1.868   $1.989    - 0.121   $3.091   - 1.223 07/17/08  $4.114
           ======== ======== ========== ======== ========= ======== =======
New Mexico   $1.981   $2.155    - 0.174   $3.090   - 1.109 07/17/08  $4.078
           ======== ======== ========== ======== ========= ======== =======
Texas        $1.755   $1.858    - 0.103   $3.019   - 1.264 07/17/08  $3.985
           ======== ======== ========== ======== ========= ======== =======
Albuquerque  $1.812   $1.948    - 0.136   $3.009   - 1.197 07/17/08  $3.987
           ======== ======== ========== ======== ========= ======== =======
Las Cruces   $2.017   $2.249    - 0.232   $3.058   - 1.041 07/15/08  $4.012
           ======== ======== ========== ======== ========= ======== =======
Santa Fe
 Area        $1.979   $2.154    - 0.175   $3.042   - 1.063 07/07/08  $4.044
           ======== ======== ========== ======== ========= ======== =======
Flagstaff    $2.249   $2.424    - 0.175   $3.153   - .904  07/14/08  $4.250
           ======== ======== ========== ======== ========= ======== =======
Tucson       $1.901   $2.048    - 0.147   $2.920   - 1.019 07/20/08  $3.847
           ======== ======== ========== ======== ========= ======== =======
Denver       $1.717   $1.836    - 0.119   $2.999   - 1.282 07/17/08  $4.006
           ======== ======== ========== ======== ========= ======== =======
Durango      $2.051   $2.220    - 0.169   $3.182   -1.131  07/18/08  $4.221
           ======== ======== ========== ======== ========= ======== =======
Las Vegas    $2.017   $2.176    - 0.159   $3.153   - 1.136 07/21/08  $4.279
           ======== ======== ========== ======== ========= ======== =======
Amarillo     $1.667   $1.787    - 0.120   $3.019   - 1.352 07/16/08  $3.983
           ======== ======== ========== ======== ========= ======== =======
El Paso      $1.927   $2.094    - 0.167   $2.959   - 1.032 07/17/08  $3.967
           ======== ======== ========== ======== ========= ======== =======

Contact Information: Contacts: Dan Ronan - Statewide/Dallas Ronan.dan@aaa-texas.com danronan@sprint.blackberry.net 469-221-8217 office 469-583-7070 cell Sarah Schimmer - Houston Schimmer.sarah@aaa-texas.com 713-284-6552 office 281-797-7886 cell