AAA projected that 48.7 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving, an increase of one million travelers compared with 2015. This represents the most Thanksgiving travelers since 2007. The holiday travel period is defined as Wed., Nov. 23, to Sunday, Nov. 27.
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. And despite recent incremental increases in the national average price of gasoline, AAA estimates U.S. drivers have saved more than $28 billion so far at the pumps in 2016.
"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.”
AAA shared some other interesting tidbits in its official press release:
Driving remains most popular mode of travel for Thanksgiving
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.
That being said, air travel is still expected to increase 1.6 percent, with 3.69 million Americans flying to their holiday destinations. Travel by other modes of transportation will increase only slightly in 2016.
Thanksgiving gas prices second-cheapest in nearly a decade
The current national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.17, 12 cents more than the average price on Thanksgiving last year. Most drivers will pay the second-cheapest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2008.
Thanksgiving 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 Thanksgiving
This top destinations for Thanksgiving, based on AAA.com bookings, include Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Diego, Orlando, New York, New Orleans, Anaheim, Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia and Seattle.
AAA will rescue thousands of motorists this Thanksgiving
AAA expects to rescue more than 370,000 motorists this Thanksgiving, with the primary reasons being dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts. AAA recommends that motorists check the condition of their battery and tires and pack emergency kits in their vehicles before heading out on a holiday getaway.
