It’s going to a busy one out there this Thanksgiving.
AAA is predicting 48.7 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from their homes this Thanksgiving. That is an increase of one million travelers compared with last year and 1.9 percent increase over 2015, and the most Thanksgiving travelers since 2007, AAA said.
“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 in a news release. “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.”
More than 89 percent of holiday travelers will drive this Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, 3.69 million Americans are planning to fly to their holiday destinations, while 1.44 million travelers will travel by some other mode, such as rail.
AAA defines the Thanksgiving holiday travel period as Wednesday, Nov. 23, to Sunday, Nov. 27.