Plunging gas prices have Americans saving an estimated $250 million per day on gasoline compared to a year ago but don't expect to see more chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
A GasBuddy survey of more than 100,000 respondents finds that 83% of us say we will save or pay off debt with the extra savings, while only 14% say we'll spend it on holiday presents.
Among those planning to travel, 23% said that record-low gas prices are impacting their plans. This includes traveling greater distances (29%); purchasing more gifts (35%); spending extra on food (11%) and even upgrading accommodations (8%).
"Nearly half of us (44%) find year-end travel stressful and the greatest single cause of it, apparently, is traffic (37%), with inclement weather (27%) followed closely by cost (26%)," said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy.com. "But with some extra cash in our pockets, that may help many of us get an early start and avoid the traffic with 36% of travelers say they're hitting the road on Saturday, Dec. 20, or Sunday, Dec. 21."
Additional findings from the GasBuddy December Holiday Travel 2014 survey:
- Saturday, Dec 20 will be the busiest travel day with 29% planning to hit the road to start the holiday season.
- The metropolitan cities where residents find it the most challenging to escape:
- Los Angeles
- New York
- Atlanta
- Seattle
- Washington DC
- The cities where the residents find it the least challenging to escape
- Cleveland
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Denver
- San Francisco
To see the full national survey click here
Localized city surveys: Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC