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One million more Thanksgiving travelers expected this year
More than a million more people are expected to travel this Thanksgiving than last year’s, according to a survey released this week by AAA.
The auto club said 42.5 million citizens are expected to travel at least 50 miles from their homes during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The figure represents a 4 percent increase from the 40.9 million who made similar trips in 2010, the organization said.
AAA attributed the increase to people choosing time with their family over their finances, despite the fragile economic climate.
“This year, it is all about family, friends, food and giving thanks for our bounty and blessings,” AAA spokesman Mahlon Anderson said in a news release.
The increase in travel comes as the Transportation Security Administration commemorates its 10th anniversary Saturday. AAA said 3.4 million people will travel by airplane over Thanksgiving, up 1.8 percent from the number of people who flew over the holiday weekend in 2010.
The increase in air travel is expected despite the fact that airfares are projected to be 20 percent higher this year than last year. The agency said the average lowest price for airline tickets on the 40 most popular routes in the country was expected to be $212.
“The combination of higher fares and lower availability of seats is expected to limit air travel growth this holiday to less than half of total traveler growth,” AAA said.
Another 38.2 million people will travel over the Thanksgiving holiday by car, making up 90 percent of the expected holiday travelers, the auto club said, adding: “Automobile travel remains the preferred choice of transportation for holiday travelers as it is often more affordable, convenient and flexible.”
About 900,000 people are expected to travel by bus, train or another mode of transportation, AAA said.
