If you're planning to travel this Thanksgiving, it's likely to be more crowded than any year since 2007, as you hit the road, take a plane, train or cruise the ocean.
The Heathrow, Florida-based AAA projects that 48.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving — an increase of one million travelers compared with last year. This represents a 1.9 percent increase over 2015, and the most Thanksgiving travelers since 2007.
|Improved economy
This year's increase in Thanksgiving travel is spurred by improvements in the economy during the second half of the year, including rising wages, increased consumer spending and overall strength in consumer confidence.
“One million more Americans than last year will carve out time to visit with friends and family this Thanksgiving,” AAA President and CEO Marshall Doney said. “Most will travel on the tried and true holiday road trip, thanks to gas prices that are holding at close to $2 per gallon. Others will fly, take the bus or set off on a cruise to celebrate with their loved ones.”
|Driving remains most popular mode of travel
The vast majority — more than 89 percent — of holiday travelers will drive this Thanksgiving. The 43.5 million Americans planning a Thanksgiving road trip represents an increase of 1.9 percent over last year.
Related: Fall's most common road hazards
Air travel is expected to increase 1.6 percent, with 3.69 million Americans flying to their holiday destinations. Travel by other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses, will increase only slightly this Thanksgiving, to 1.44 million travelers.
|Gas prices second-cheapest in nearly a decade
Today's national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.16, 11 cents more than the average price on Thanksgiving last year ($2.05). Most U.S. drivers will pay the second-cheapest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2008, when the national average was $1.85.
|Airfares, hotel rates and car rental prices mixed
According to AAA's Leisure Travel Index, airfares are projected to increase 21 percent this Thanksgiving, landing at an average of $205 for a roundtrip flight for the top 40 domestic routes.
Rates for AAA Three Diamond Rated lodgings are expected to remain flat, with travelers spending an average of $155 per night. The average rate for a AAA Two Diamond Rated hotel has risen four percent with an average nightly cost of $123.
Daily car rental rates will average $52, 13 percent lower than last Thanksgiving.
|Many travelers will journey west
This year's top destinations for Thanksgiving include many popular coast cities, as well as perennial family-friendly favorites. The most popular destinations this Thanksgiving, based on AAA.com bookings, are:
- |
- Las Vegas.
- San Francisco.
- San Diego.
- Orlando, Florida.
- New York City.
- New Orleans.
- Anaheim, California.
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
- Philadelphia.
- Seattle.
The AAA's projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Markit. The London-based business information provider teamed with AAA in 2009 to jointly analyze travel trends during major holidays.
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Jayleen R. Heft
Jayleen Heft is the digital content editor for PropertyCasualty360.com. Contact her at [email protected].
