AAA forecasts cheapest Thanksgiving gas prices in 5 yrs.

TAMPA, Fla. - When 41.3 million Americans load-up the family vehicle for a Thanksgiving road trip, they are likely to find the cheapest gasoline in five years, according to the weekly fuel price brief from AAA, the Auto Club Group. <br /> <br /> The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded was $2.82 Sunday, 46 cents cheaper than the price on Thanksgiving Day 2013.<br /> <br /> In Georgia, the average price for a gallon of gasoline on Sunday was $2.75, down seven cents from a week ago. Gas prices in Georgia for Thanksgiving 2013 averaged $3.27 a gallon.<br /> <br /> "Travelers are thankful to have more money in their pockets due to falling gas prices," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA. "The good news is gas should continue falling through the rest of the year. Cheaper gasoline has helped boost disposable income and consumer spending, which encourages more people to travel." <br /> <br /> The majority (89%) of Americans will drive to their destination this Thanksgiving. Of the 41.3 million road trippers nationwide, 2.1 million will be Floridians, 1.9 million Georgians and 973,710 Tennesseans.<br /> <br /> "Many people prefer driving, because it offers the best travel option for controlling expenses," said Jenkins. "People have more flexibility in trip length and the option to make last minute changes." <br /> <br /> The average round trip is forecast to be 549 miles this holiday weekend. Travelers expect to spend an average of $573, 31% of budgets will go toward gasoline expenses.