With Thanksgiving and the formal launch of the holiday shopping season, Americans will again be consumed with the annual trifecta of turkey, travel and transactions — lots of them.

The Thanksgiving travel rush is expected to be bigger than ever this year.

Oil prices climbed this week as unrest in the Middle East escalated.

Consumers barely increased spending in May from April as still high inflation and high interest rates curbed spending.

A Montogomery County mother shared a heartbreaking story with the community in an effort to highlight the dangers of teenage drunk driving as summer break begins.’

In what had long been celebrated every May 30 to honor America’s fallen soldiers, Memorial Day officially became a federal holiday in 1971, observed on the last Monday in May.

On Friday morning, a AAA travel expert will be LIVE with us with last-minute travel advice and reminders. Do you have travel-related questions? Send them our way and we’ll get answers!

When desperate, some people are tempted to turn to dangerous ways to stay warm.

The Houston Police Department is urging drivers to stay safe on the roads after more than 580 crashes were reported in the area overnight. Of those, Mayor John Whitmire confirmed that 251 crashes were ice-related.

Conditions have been mostly nice for travelers flying ahead of and on Christmas Day, but some naughty disruptions plagued those flying with Southwest Airlines again this year.

Airports and highways are expected to be busier this Christmas season than they were a year ago.

Holiday travelers are starting their final sprint.

It’s time to pack your patience and “wine” down for the extended weekend. As Labor Day approaches many are ready to hit the roads and the sky.

On KPRC 2+ Now, our traffic anchor spoke with law enforcement and AAA to learn about the safety and concerns with younger drivers.

Gas prices keep getting higher. We are always looking for ways for you to save money. Josh Zuber with AAA joined Amy Davis to talk about some of the easy ways you can save on your gas bill.

U.S. gas prices are continuing to rise — giving drivers across the country another headache at the pump.

Drivers are in for another headache at the pump as U.S. gas prices continue to rise.

Travelers, considered a bellwether for the insurance industry due to its size, said catastrophe losses doubled in its most recent quarter and the company swung to a loss as severe wind and hail storms in a number of regions led to rising coverage claims.

AAA says it won’t renew a small percentage of homeowner and auto insurance policies in hurricane-wracked Florida, joining other insurers in limiting their exposure in the Sunshine State.

Hey Houston, Schools are out for the kiddos and summer vacation is here!

Hello Houston!

This is what you need to know after a busy week of Houston traffic.

Memorial Day is supposed to be about mourning the nation’s fallen service members.

In January and February, AAA Texas will host two travel shows that will feature dozens of domestic and international travel providers.

AAA Texas is reminding drivers to be even more cautious and watch out for children and teenagers who will probably be riding on their new toys after Christmas Day.

AAA Texas says more than 8 million Texans are driving to their holiday destinations starting Friday through New Year’s Day.

Hello Houston, and welcome back!

AAA predicts 54.6 million people will travel this Thanksgiving, that’s 98% of pre-pandemic volumes.

Oil companies brought in staggering profits once again as consumers worldwide struggled with high gasoline and energy prices.

We’ve all heard dos and don’ts when it comes to saving money at the pump. Now, more than ever before, those tips could be important, but are they true?

AAA has released its list of top counties in Texas with the highest levels of catalytic converter thefts Monday.

Gas prices are hitting $5 a gallon, and they're showing no signs of letting up.

The nationwide average price for a gallon of gasoline has topped $5 for the first time ever.

Pandemic-weary U.S. residents are confronting high gas prices as they decide whether to travel this Memorial Day weekend.

The statewide average for a gallon of unleaded gas hit a new statewide average record on Friday of $4.11, according to AAA.

The dollars-and-cents counter on the gas pump seems to be spinning faster these days with U.S. gasoline prices hitting another record high on Tuesday.

Are you in the market for a new car? If so, we have information to help you find the best car for your lifestyle.

AAA Texas said international travel has increased and every country has new requirements to get there.

With higher gas prices lingering, some drivers are trying to squeeze every drop out of their tanks before filling up. For some drivers, that means driving until their gas gauge hits “E,” and then some. However, AAA officials say that’s a bad idea.

If you’ve been to the gas pumps lately, or even listened to any news outlet, you’re likely well aware that gas prices are at a painful high.

Bicycle service is a standard benefit for AAA members, with no extra cost.

Thanksgiving travel is here, y’all!

Gasoline prices are setting a new record, and they're likely to go higher in the coming weeks.

With Russia intensifying its war on Ukraine, killing civilians and triggering a mass refugee crisis, President Joe Biden announced a U.S. ban on imported Russian oil.

Gasoline prices are pushing even farther above $4 a gallon, the highest price that American motorists have faced since July 2008, as calls grow to ban imports of Russian oil.

Winter weather, including icy roads and snow, could impact parts of Texas this week, according to the National Weather Service.

The tow truck operator who was hit and killed while helping a stranded driver on Saturday morning has been identified by family members.

The Woodlands Resort is an ideal destination for families, friends and couples and recently became Texas’ first Curio Collection by Hilton resort.

Millions of Americans are loading up their cars or piling onto planes, determined to reclaim Thanksgiving traditions that were put on pause last year by the pandemic.

Texas drivers will be paying slightly less on gas this Thanksgiving week.

Residents in the Lone Star State are lucky enough to pay less on unleaded gasoline than the national average, according to a report by AAA.

Hurricane Ida may bring temporary gas price volatility to many Texas drivers, according to the AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch.

USA Baseball on Friday announced the 24-man roster that will represent the United States on the diamond in Japan

After a rash of catalytic converter thefts in Greater Houston, law enforcement and AAA are putting out resources with what car owners can do to help deter people from stealing their catalytic converters.

With summer quickly approaching, millions of Americans will hit the road, and the first road trip on deck: Memorial Day weekend.

If you're traveling over the Memorial Day weekend, expect lots of company.

For the first time in four weeks, the statewide gas price average in Texas has increased.

U.S. News & World Report ranked Houston’s ultra-luxe Post Oak Hotel the best hotel in Texas and the 13th best in the nation. Several other Houston hotels received high praise (and high rankings) on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best hotels in the Lone Star State, including The Lancaster Hotel (No.7), Hotel Zaza Houston Memorial City (No. 8), Four Seasons Hotel Houston (No. U.S. News & World Report’s hotel rankings are based on an analysis of industry awards, hotel star ratings and user ratings. The Post Oak Hotel (Houston) Hotel Emma (San Antonio) Rosewood Mansion (Dallas) The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas (Dallas) Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas (Dallas) The Driskill (Austin) Archer Hotel Austin (Austin) The Lancaster Hotel (Houston) Hotel Zaza Houston Memorial City Four Seasons Hotel Houston (Houston) The St. Regis Houston (Houston) Hotel Crescent Court (Dallas) Mokara Hotel & Spa (San Antonio) Four Seasons Hotel Austin (Austin) Hotel Granduca, Houston (Houston) Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa (San Antonio) JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country (San Antonio) JW Marriott Houston Downtown (Houston) The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa (Houston) The Stella Hotel (Bryan) Hotel ZaZa Dallas (Dallas) Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District (Houston) The Adolphus, Autograph (Dallas) Hotel Valencia Riverwalk (San Antonio) JW Marriott Austin (Austin)View the full list here.

Traffic Expert Anavid Reyes breaks down AAA’s numbers for the average annual driving costs for 2020. Bottom lineThe average annual driving cost is the highest on record since AAA began tracking expenses in 1950 at $9,561. Since 1950, AAA has published it’s annual Your Driving Costs study that breaks down the cost of owning a new car, including depreciation, finance, fuel, insurance, license/registration/taxes and maintenance/repair. Texans love their pickup trucks – but they have the highest overall driving costs-- 75.39¢/mile. These are then combined and averaged to determine the overall cost to own a new car in 2020.

Greg Abbott has extended his original vehicle waiver to allow drivers with vehicle registrations that are expired up to nine months the ability to renew online, or at a grocery store or AAA partner. Fox 7 added that the online renewal system generates a receipt to carry in the vehicle until the new registration sticker arrives. Abbott issued a waiver from the requirement to renew registration upon the disaster declaration on March 16. According to the Texas DMV, drivers may choose to take no action during the waiver period; however, online registration renewal is still available. Houston Police Department is not enforcing citations for expired vehicle registration.

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. HOUSTON – At KPRC 2, we’re dedicated to keeping Houstonians informed. As part of our new Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: Is it okay to hang my face mask in my rear-view mirror? Answer: According to AAA, the short answer is no.

HOUSTON – October 1 marked the first day of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, serving as a reminder to drivers everywhere to put the phone down and just drive. To help with this, AAA suggests setting your phone on “do not disturb” while driving to avoid the temptation of looking at your notifications on the road. In Texas, 378 people died in more than 97,000 distracted driving crashes last year, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Josh Zuber with AAA says nearly eight people die and nearly 1,000 individuals are hurt every day in the U.S. due to distracted driving. In 2019, 22 people lost their lives in Harris County.

Data gathered by AAA shows there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done to ensure this type of technology can actually save lives. Zuber continues by saying research also shows that this driver assistance technology disengaged with little notice to the driver. “These are not meant to be automated vehicles, and these advance driver assistance systems are not 100% reliable,” Zuber said. Most eye-opening of all, AAA’s research shows pedestrian detection systems are also not to be trusted because the emergency braking systems perform inconsistently. “Those pedestrian detection systems are not very reliable.

HOUSTON Are you about to go on a long vacation? Or maybe your car hasnt moved as much, because youve been working from home? Traffic Expert Anavid Reyes spoke with AAA to get some tips to keep your car in tip-top shape even while sitting idle. In general, if your car hasnt moved for quite some time, it is best to make sure you pop open that hood before you hit the road again. According to experts at AAA, here is what you need to keep in mind:

Check your tires air pressure when the tires are cool because heat (from driving or the ambient temperature) can increase tire pressure by several pounds per square inch (psi). Dont inflate the tires to the pressure stamped on the tires sidewall; thats the maximum inflation pressure. Tires lose pressure naturally typically 13 psi per month because a tires sidewall is permeable. So be sure to check your cars tire pressure at least once a monthespecially before a long trip. An increasing number of new vehicles today come with tire-inflation kits instead of spare tires; some vehicles are equipped with run-flat tires and no spare tire.

HOUSTON Shocking statistics show for every mile driven, new teen drivers are three times more likely to be in a deadly crash compared to adults, according to AAA. What can be even more shocking, is that right now we are under the 100 deadliest days on the road for teen drivers. Traffic Expert Anavid Reyes took a look at what this means for these young Texas drivers. AAA says about 68 teens in Texas are killed in a car crash every summer and in the past month, 72% of teen drivers nationwide admitted to risky behavior behind the wheel. According to Henk, the five leading risks for teen crashes are: