Millions Of Marylanders Prepare To Head Home For The Holidays

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Over the next two weeks, millions of Marylanders will take advantage of the holidays to visit friends and relatives.

And now, as Mike Schuh reports, falling gas prices come at a welcome time.

Plan ahead; it's going to be crowded. AAA Mid-Atlantic says 2.2 million Marylanders will be traveling this holiday season.

AAA counts you, if, in the next couple of weeks, you plan on traveling more than 50 miles.

Tamyra Harmon says she'll be paying close attention to the weather and traffic, as her son will be on the roads.

"It's his first holiday away from home, so I'm excited that he's back home for the holiday," she said.

Lower gas prices are one reason why 1.4 percent more people will hit the roads.

"Today's national average stands at $2.01 a gallon. Maryland's average is slightly higher at $2.03 a gallon, but that is 62 cents less than this time last year and probably the lowest gas prices we've seen in about seven years for this Christmas holiday period," said Ragina Cooper Averella, AAA spokesperson.

National and Maryland averages are expected to fall below the $2 per gallon mark by Christmas, and many stations across the area are already at $1.99 or lower. AAA expects that motorists will pay the lowest gas prices on New Year's Day since 2009.

Then there are drivers like Scott Colder; he is retired and doesn't pay attention to the price, holidays or not.

"Not a thing for me, personally. It doesn't matter. I'm going to go if I want to go," he said.

The number of people going on cruises includes those leaving from Baltimore and those flying to take a cruise from other ports of call.