TEXAS — Millions of Texans are traveling for the holidays, either by catching a flight or driving.

AAA says more than 9 million Texans will travel at least 50 miles from home for Christmas and New Year’s. That’s nearly 2% more than last year. 

“We do see an increase in the number of people that are traveling by car this year,” said Daniel Armbruster, a spokesperson for AAA.

Out of the millions of Texans traveling for the holidays, one of them is Tawana Franklin.

Instead of flying to Mississippi to see her family for the holidays, she and her 3-year-old daughter are taking an eight-hour road trip instead.

“It’s much cheaper to drive to Mississippi. Gas is much cheaper right now, which, which is great. But then, you know, the cost of two airline tickets — that’s an expense that I didn’t want to take on especially with now all airlines require you to pay for checked bags,” said Franklin.

According to AAA, the statewide average gas price is about $2.51 per gallon, 40 cents cheaper than the national average.

Compared to last year around the holiday season, Texas gas is 10 cents cheaper per gallon.

“When you go into these major holiday periods where you have a lot of people driving, you will see gas prices fluctuate a little bit, but nonetheless they are going to likely be a little bit lower than where they were a year ago,” said Armbruster.

This year marks the fourth year in a row that Texas gas prices are lower around the holiday season.

But why are gas prices so low? There are many factors at play, according to GasBuddy.

“OPEC+ announcing rapid increases in oil production output. That’s putting pressure on the price of oil and wholesale gasoline in a downward trend,” said Matt McClain, a GasBuddy expert. “Of course, Texas is known to produce oil. TV shows have even been produced out of it, and we understand that. And that’s always a great thing. You refine a lot of the product in Texas as well.”

In the winter, gas experts say the gas demand also decreases to help bring the cost down.

“I can gas up maybe once or twice at most. And then, you know, I’m just on my way,” said Franklin.

But for her, cheaper gas is an opportunity to road trip with her daughter while saving money.

“So to me, this is it just gives us more time to bond, less busyness, and to me it seems more economical,” she said.