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Cheaper Gas, No Snow Make Christmas Travelers Happy

SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY — With the exception of fog delaying flights in the northeast, most people are loving the trip home for the holidays for two reasons: n...

SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY -- With the exception of fog delaying flights in the northeast, most people are loving the trip home for the holidays for two reasons: no snow and low gasoline prices.

Low gas prices are the main reason AAA estimates a record number of people will travel for Christmas.

Just off Interstate 81 in Susquehanna County, drivers were filling up for 50 cents less than this day a year ago. Pennsylvania's average is $2.19 a gallon.

"It helps, it helps, no doubt," said Chris Trento of New York.

"It definitely helps with the trip," said Brian Goodwin of New Jersey. "I'm probably saving $30 which definitely helps. Every little bit helps which is good. We're very happy with it."

Goodwin and his family are heading to Buffalo, New York. He's not only liking the price of gas for this trip, but the weather, too. He knows this time of year the roads could be snowy, especially where he's heading.

"Last year they had 20 feet of snow. This year, there's nothing up there now. We're very excited; it's a good trip."

There's not a lot of stress for travelers and they're fine with that.

"Roads have been reasonable. Traffic has not been heavy and people seem to be in good spirits," said another driver.

Air travel isn't quite so smooth. At the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, there are quite a few delays and it's the same story at big airports across the country.

"(It's been) exhausting with a 1 year old," said Katherine Gonos of Georgia. "We were diverted from Atlanta to Avoca last night."

Gonos and her daughter are here from Georgia to see her family in Mountain Top. She and the rest of that flight were supposed to land in Avoca Tuesday night, but they all got diverted to Syracuse because of fog.

"We had to stay in a hotel and we got into the hotel at 2:30 in the morning but then she fell asleep," she said. "But we're glad we're here."

By air or by road, that's what a lot of people traveling for Christmas are anxious to say. "We're here."

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