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A national recession is turning 2008 holiday travel into a 'bahhumbug' experience.

American Automobile Association numbers show drivers like Stanley Stiles are par for the current economic course.

"Definitely driving this year was a lot cheaper than flying," says Stiles resident.

Stiles drove from Houston to spend the holidays with his in-laws. After crunching some numbers, the decision was easy.

"It definitely took a lot more planning because of the distance we were traveling," says Stiles.

"I think everyone is pretty mindful of what they're expecting this year," says Connie Bachman, Sandhills branch AAA supervisor.

AAA's Connie Bachman says compared to last Christmas more than 10,000 people have decided not to travel. That's the first decline in holiday travel since 2002.

"You've got a lot of different factors to include in there," says Bachman. "The airlines, the hotel industry, car rental agencies."

"Right now, this recession has got us in a bind," says Brant Horn.

For Columbia waiter Brant Horn, tips are down, meaning long-distance travel isn't an option this year.

"Everyone else I know, they're glad they've got their family here in Columbia or not very far away," says Horn. "That way they can just get together."

Whether it's traveling shorter distances, hitting the roads rather than the skies or just staying home, South Carolinians are feeling the pinch this holiday season.