SPANISH FORT, Ala. — The price at the gas pump may a big influence on the decision to travel for most residents in Baldwin County and throughout the country. Nowadays, heading to Grandma’s house has become a little bit pricey. Despite the higher gas prices this year, many Americans still have chosen to not let the increased prices spoil their holiday fun.

An estimated 38.7 million Americans traveled 50 miles or so from their homes during the Thanksgiving holiday, according to AAA. The southeast had the greatest number of travelers during the Thanksgiving holidays — an estimated 9 million auto travelers and an estimated 1.3 million air travelers.

The current average for regular gasoline is $3.008 per gallon, an increase from the $2.141 per gallon average a year ago, according to the association. Hemant Shukla, manager of Papa John’s convenience store in Spanish Fort, said most of his gas customers are local people.

Shukla said that on weekends and long holidays gas sales are usually down at his store since it is more of a neighborhood business. He said his customers have seemed to accept the price of gas, even though they sometimes complain.

“They know they have no choice,” he said, though people are less likely to buy gas.

He suggested one alternative to cutting the gas price crunch could be to ride bicycles.

“Demand for fuel hasn’t eased off at all so gas prices are going to rise. It’s strictly a matter of supply and demand,” said Kevin Spriggs, owner of Spriggs Enterprises, a gas station in Malbis.

Spriggs, who owns three area gas stations, said the increase in gas prices has not increased customers driving off without paying, because cash patrons have to prepay before they pump gas. Until right after Hurricane Rita, which landed in Baldwin County in September 2005, Spriggs said his gas stations were losing about $1,000 a month due to drive-offs.

Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack said that years ago drive-offs were a big problem, but that it is rare now since most patrons have to pay first, and Spanish Fort police Chief David Edgar said drive-offs have not been problem in the city.

Spriggs said that gas sales increase approximately 40 to 50 percent above normal with the holiday season. Spriggs said he thinks that the increase in prices doesn’t seem to have affected travel at all.

Though he hears constant complaints about the price of gas, he said if Americans cut their driving down at least 10 percent, the gas prices could go back to $2 a gallon or possibly lower.

If people could figure out a way to do that, such as carpooling or taking one less trip a week, it would help bring down the price, Spriggs said. The price of gas is “annoying and expensive,” he said, and he has to fill up his own vehicles at the same price as everyone else. Spriggs said he isn’t sure what the price point would be where people would be willing to conserve.

More travelers are choosing to drive rather than to hop on a plane to a destination due more to the aggravation of flying than the upward prices at the pump, Spriggs said. Going through an airport scene is a big hassle, he said.

Going through airport security is made even worse if you have electronic gadgets. Now, in their vehicles, people can use video players, iPods, personal computers to plug into wireless Internet and cell phones, he said.

“It is a lot more comfortable traveling in a car than it was many years ago,” he said. “I just think its a comfort thing.”