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Southern California's Thanksgiving Travelers Will Stay ``Local'' This Weekend

23 November 1999

Southern California's Thanksgiving Travelers Will Stay ``Local'' This Weekend, Says Auto Club

    LOS ANGELES--Nov. 22, 1999--Nearly 2 million Southern Californians are projected to travel the state's roads and freeways this weekend en route to their Thanksgiving destinations, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.
    They will be among an estimated 33.8 million Americans traveling 100 miles or more over the Thanksgiving holiday, according to a national survey conducted for AAA. Of those, 27.8 million U.S. residents are expected to drive to their destinations.
    The number of Thanksgiving travelers has increased steadily each year since 1990. Last year over the same weekend, 33.6 million Americans took trips by auto, plane, train, bus or ship.
    "Because increased numbers of people will be traveling by car and driving to airports, it's more important than ever for motorists to plan their holiday travel wisely," said Arline Dillman, traffic safety manager for the Auto Club. "Those drivers who cannot avoid getting on the road late Wednesday or Sunday should be prepared for delays and adjust their expectations on travel times."
    Southern California residents will head to several familiar and relatively close destinations during Thanksgiving. According to a survey of the Auto Club's AAA Travel Agency, the most popular destinations this weekend will be:

    1. Las Vegas
    2. San Francisco
    3. San Diego
    4. Palm Springs
    5. Monterey

    Gas prices are significantly lower than they were during the Labor Day weekend, but still higher than during the same time last year. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $1.359 in Southern California this month, compared with $1.187 last November and $1.514 the week before Labor Day weekend.
    To make this weekend's trip a pleasant one, the Auto Club recommends:

    -- Getting on the road early. Typically, outgoing traffic will be
    heaviest during Wednesday afternoon and evening. Heavy incoming
    traffic can be expected Sunday afternoon.

    -- Checking your vehicle's fluid levels, belts, hoses and tires,
    and if traveling to the mountains or a snowy area, bringing
    along snow tires or chains.

    -- Packing plenty of fluids and activities for youngsters for
    long trips.

    -- Planning your route ahead of time and bringing along a map in
    case you need to choose an alternate route. Motorists can call
    the California Highway Information Number at 800/427-7623 for
    interstate and state route lane closures and highway closures.
    The information is updated hourly.

    -- Taking care with your children by properly using safety belts
    and car seats, and accompanying them into the restroom during
    travel breaks.

    -- Choosing a well-lit, populated area for rest stops when driving
    at night.

    The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by the organization's emergency road service, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs and legislative advocacy. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.