Travel experts have predicted lighter travel due to the sagging economy, despite decreasing gas prices.

AAA is expecting about 41 million Americans to travel at least 50 miles from Wednesday until Nov. 30 – hundreds of thousands less than last year.

Larry Travis, regional president of ALLL, said this is going to be the first Thanksgiving since 2002 that there’s been a decline in travel. About 600,000 people – or 1.4 percent – fewer travelers will be out this year.

“It’s just people concerned about their economic state,” Travis said.

Locally, many people said they are planning on staying home for the holiday.

Others, like Claire McKnight, was on her way to Indiana Wednesday and said the economic cloud hanging over our heads has a silver lining.

“Gas prices are low and that helps a lot,” she said.

Survey: Did you factor the price of gas into your holiday travel plans?

According to AAA, the average price of a gallon of unleaded gas in Wheeling was $1.92 on Wednesday compared to $3.09 last year. In Steubenville, the average price dropped to $1.89 from $3.09 last year.

Regionally, gas prices in Cleveland averaged $1.67 a gallon. Columbus was even less at $1.62. In Charleston, it was $1.95 and for those filling up in Pittsburgh gas was $2.07.

For those like McKnight who are traveling, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said they are committed to keeping the roads a safe place.

Sgt. Jason Greenwood said they plan to have more troopers out this weekend “looking for aggressive citations, seatbelt violations and intoxicated drivers."

For those using air travel, delays at many regional airports were just 15 minutes or less. Those traveling to Philadelphia or Newark airports had the possibility of slight delays as of 4:30 p.m.

Travis said this is the fourth straight holiday with a decline in travel. Labor Day, Memorial Day and Fourth of July were also down.

Stay with NEWS9 and WTOV9.com for continuing coverage throughout the holiday weekend. For more, visit our Thanksgiving Holiday Guide for the latest weather forecast, travel conditions and more.

Previous Stories: November 26, 2008: Millions Of Travelers Expected On Highways