The Kimes family is traveling from northeastern IN to Georgia, an 11-hour trip with two kids under the age of 4.
Advertisement
Peoria’s Airport Director says the Sunday following the holiday will be the busiest day all week followed by Saturday.
Of those travelers, 89 percent will get to their destination by auto.
The Thanksgiving holiday (November 25-29) is typically one of the heaviest travel seasons in the USA, according to information from AAA.
AAA Travel forecasts 46.9 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday, a 0.6 percent increase over the 46.6 million people who traveled past year and the most since 2007.
Low gas prices were driving more people to hit the road to reach their Thanksgiving celebrations, and airports were bustling Wednesday as travelers flying to meet family and friends braved long lines and fears about terrorism.
The EIA’s latest short-term energy outlook projects a bottoming of gas prices to an average $2.06 a gallon in December and January of 2016, before increasing again to $2.09 in February.
A year ago, gasoline prices in Bloomington-Normal averaged around $2.90 per gallon.
Millions are set to travel over the next few days during the Thanksgiving holiday.
“In Regina, we’re nearly below 90 cents a litre”, said Toews. Around the country, gas is at its lowest price since 2008.
Crowds at Peoria’s General Wayne Downing International Airport were full throughout the day.
“I had a lot of free time on my hands this afternoon”, said Poteet. To that end, travelers may see additional security screenings at airports during this busy Thanksgiving travel weekend, including at San Diego’s Lindbergh Field.
“I’m not going to let the terror alerts and things stop me, because then they win”, she said.
To make sure you’re getting the best gas prices on the road, be sure to download a gas-pricing app, DeHaan said.
Advertisement
Despite improvements in the economy, including steady wage growth, rising disposable income and a falling unemployment rate, consumers remain hesitant to spend at a level that would drive significant travel growth.
