Despite a dramatic drop in the price of gasoline of more than $2 a gallon in just two months, AAA reports that fewer Carolinians are planning to travel on the road this Thanksgiving. About 17,000 fewer drivers are expected to travel more than 50 miles from home.

Still, some drivers around the Triangle said if people have plans to travel, they're going to travel regardless of the price of gas. Greg Waldon from Raleigh is planning to stay close to home for Thanksgiving but says if he had plans to travel, he'd make the trip whether gas prices were high or low.

"If you spend another $20 or $30 I don't think for most people it will be a deal breaker," he said.

But Jim Porter from Richmond, Va. drove to Raleigh to visit friends for the holiday, and said lower gas prices make a difference in how much traveling he'll do. These days, it's costing him about $30 to fill up. A welcome relief compared to what it used to be.

"(Used to be) about $60 or more," Porter said. "And especially with my drive to work, I commute 35 miles so it was costing me quite a lot."

Greta Dula from Raleigh is headed to Rocky Mount, 45 minutes away. She uses premium to finding it for under $2 was quite a deal. She said gas prices dictate where people go and what they do so the lower prices may encourage more people to travel this Thanksgiving.

"I think it will definitely spur some people to want to go further," Dula said. "Ride to the beach, do more outlet shopping then what they would when it was closer to $3."

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