File photo: WRN

File photo: WRN

As Christmas and the New Year draw near, millions of Americans will be out on the roads and filling up airports as they head to holiday destinations.

AAA projects more than 100 million Americans will take a trip of 50 miles or more during the holiday period – their largest estimate ever for the season. Nearly two million Wisconsin residents are included in that figure, which is based on an annual survey by the auto club.

Wisconsin-AAA spokesman Nick Jarmusz says about 90 percent of travelers will be going by road, which is being helped this year by record low gas prices. The current statewide average of $1.92 for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel is the lowest it’s been in seven years, and nearly 60 cents lower than last year. Prices have been dropping steadily through 2015 and, when combined with a better employment situation nationally, Jarmusz says people have been able to save up more money that they can use for holiday travel.

The holiday travel period measured by AAA starts today and runs through January 3.

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