“3.7 million people here in the Lone Star State will be traveling 50 miles or more away from home during the Thanksgiving holiday” said the auto club’s Doug Shupe, who told KTSA News a big part of that is the continuing to fall price at the gas pump. They just released a survey that this is the 7th consecutive year of growth for Thanksgiving travel. The holiday is defined from Wednesday November 25 through Sunday November 29.
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“Americans still place a high premium on being with family for Thanksgiving”, said Brent Stahlheber, Sr. Though fewer South Dakotans are expected to leave town this Thanksgiving, more Americans will be traveling nationwide.
“Curiously, the number of travelers departing from the Washington metro area will remain flat this Thanksgiving, despite an unemployment rate that continues to decline and the lowest Thanksgiving gas prices in seven years”, said John B. Townsend II, spokesman for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
“One holiday gift has come early this year”, Doney said of gas prices.
Gas prices in Virginia are averaging under $2 per gallon ($1.97), 73 cents less than a year ago today and 66 cents less than the average price on Thanksgiving last year ($2.63).
In IL, of the 2.5 million travelers, 2.2 million will travel by vehicle.
Virginia roads will be especially busy over the holiday period with 1.2 million expected to drive to their holiday feast, a slight decrease of 0.3 percent over past year. Travel nationwide is expected to increase. At an average savings of close to $13.50 per fill up, the 1.2 million motorists driving over the holiday weekend this year will save a total of about $16.2 million dollars per fill up than last year at this time. The average round-trip ticket for the top 40 destinations in the country is expected to cost $169. AAA Approved Auto fix facilities are also available for inspections.
Before setting out on a Thanksgiving trip, download the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. AAA members can access exclusive member discounts, make travel arrangements, and request AAA roadside assistance, as well. Around 185,000 will travel by air.
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AAA’s projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight. The Colorado-based business information provider teamed with AAA in 2009 to jointly analyze travel trends during major holidays.
