Gas prices don’t stop Thanksgiving travel, many take advantage of GA gas tax suspension

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Gas prices aren’t stopping tens of millions from hitting the roads this Thanksgiving, even though the national average is about $.30 higher this holiday compared to last.

According to AAA, about 13 times more people will drive rather than fly to their destination.

The average gas price in Duval, according to AAA, is $3.42 per gallon. That compares to a $3.00 average in Camden County because Georgia’s gas tax is still suspended.

“I will drive on ‘E’ all the way here just to get gas to fill up,” Ashley Casper said. She lives in Camden but works in Jacksonville.

Action News Jax spotted many travelers fueling up off exit one on I-95.

“I definitely need gas and then when I pulled over and saw $2.00, I said ‘I don’t know if that’s a fluke or not,’ so I stopped,” Beverly Farinelli said on her drive to Virginia from Cape Coral.

So, is it worth the trip for Floridians to save? Action News Jax made the 66-mile round trip from downtown Jacksonville, getting approximately 28 miles to the gallon.

Using Camden County’s average gas price of $3 per gallon, we burned about $7.05. Fueling up a 16-gallon tank in Camden versus Duval saves about $7, so we nearly broke even. The closer to Georgia you live, the higher your chances of saving.

Those traveling through the Peach State definitely took advantage of the cheaper prices.

“By me, I paid $3.35 this morning — so you know that’s a big difference,” said April Bohager. “Over a year and a half now, I have not paid under three dollars. So it was kind of funny to see $2.99.”

AAA projects Florida travel on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving will be at its highest in nearly two decades with about 3 million hitting the roads, beating national expectations. AAA said nationally, numbers would be higher than last year, but still slightly below pre-pandemic numbers.

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