Community Corner

End-of-Year Travel to Exceed Decade Average; Gas Prices Drop

The average cost of a gallon of gas in Virginia right now is $3.10, below the national average of about $3.22.

Nearly 2.7 million Virginia residents will go over the river and through the woods for Christmas and the New Year holiday this year, according to AAA. While this is only a slight increase from last year, it will still be a busier-than-average holiday season.

“The fact that the number of Virginians expected to travel this year-end exceeds the decade high average by four percent illustrates the importance of being with loved ones for the holidays, regardless of a struggling economy,” said Martha Mitchell Meade, a spokeswoman for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

The 2012 year-end holiday travel season officially starts Saturday and continues through Tuesday, Jan. 1. Nationally, more than 88 million people will travel, mostly by car.

Find out what's happening in Arlingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Gas Prices Continue to Drop

The price of a gallon of gas in Virginia is a few cents cheaper than it was at this time last year, according to data from AAA. The national average for a gallon of regular gas is about $3.22. In Virginia, the average is about $3.10 — but it’s higher in Washington, at nearly $3.44.

Find out what's happening in Arlingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The current prices for one gallon of regular gasoline for popular driving destinations from Northern Virginia are:

Baltimore: about $3.24

Philadelphia: about $3.51

Norfolk: about $3.06

Delaware: about $3.31

Some areas of New Jersey are seeing gas at less than $3 per gallon right now.

Over Thanksgiving, Patch published a list of mobile apps to help you find cheap gas.

Here in Arlington, check the Patch transportation page. It features the lowest gas prices in our neighborhood as well as current traffic congestion on major roadways in the area.

Air Travel

Air travel is also up, with more than 150,000 Virginians taking to the skies this holiday season, according to AAA.

Here are a few tips on surviving the airport, from parking to security and beyond.

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