Holiday travel madness begins

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Holiday travelers are packing bags to get ready for Thanksgiving although for many where they're going and how they get there boiled down to price versus convenience.

Kent Freier and his family decided to head for Lubbock, Texas by air.

"It is quicker, one hour versus six," Freier said about flying out of the Albuquerque International Sunport.

Freier said he prefers the friendly skies over the open road and was willing to shell out more money to save time.

Jacqueline Casillas decided to put her son on a Greyhound Bus to visit his father for Thanksgiving in Amarillo, Texas. She said she saved $100 and avoided the madness at the airport.

"You don't have to deal with the chaos," Casillas said. "It's not busy, so that is also a good thing."

The American Automobile Association forecasts 33.2 million Americans will drive this Thanksgiving holiday.

Albuquerque auto shop owner Travis Leonard could have told you that. He's been busy with oil changes and tire checks as people get ready to hit the road.

"Especially with the economy, people aren't buying new cars," he said. "So they want to make sure their old ones are in better shape."

For the thousands of New Mexicans driving this holiday weekend, it will cost them about $10 more to fill up the tank than last year.

The average price for a gallon of unleaded around the state is $2.67, up 66 cents from Thanksgiving 2008.