NEWS

Biggest Thanksgiving travel rush expected since 2007, says AAA

Larry Copeland, USA TODAY
Travel backs up on the Kennedy Expressway as commuters and holiday travelers try to get an early start on their Thanksgiving travel on Nov. 27, 2013, in Chicago.

It's going to take longer to get to that turkey and dressing this year.

That's the message from experts who say that an improving economy, more disposable income, consumer optimism and low gas prices are combining to create the biggest Thanksgiving travel rush in years.

Auto club AAA projects that 46.3 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving weekend, a 4.2% increase over last year and the highest volume since 2007.

"Americans are more optimistic about the future as improvements in several key economic factors, including employment, GDP and disposable income, are boosting consumer confidence and the desire to travel," says AAA president and chief operating officer Marshall Doney.

Thanksgiving fuel prices are the lowest in five years. On Thursday, the national average price for a gallon of regular was $2.85 – 43 cents lower than the average price of $3.28 a year ago, AAA says.

More than 89% of holiday travelers – 41.3 million – will travel by automobile, a 4.3% increase over last year. Thanksgiving air travel is also expected to be at the highest level since 2007, with 3.55 million people flying to their destinations, AAA says. That's 3% more than in 2013.

Air travelers will find moderately higher airfares, with prices averaging 1% higher than a year ago, AAA says.

Travelers will find prices about 8% higher for midrange hotels; rental cars will cost 10% more.

The Thanksgiving holiday is defined as Wednesday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 30.

For those driving to Grandma's, it's going to take at least 25% longer to get there this year, according to the annual Thanksgiving Travel Forecast from INRIX, a Kirkland, Wash.-based congestion tracking firm.

Unlike recent years, when the battered economy pushed people to stay closer to home, those attractive prices at the pump and a steady economy have more people answering the call of the open road, says INRIX analyst Jim Bak. "While good news for businesses, drivers will battle more traffic heading out of town this year, particularly on routes near major airports."

The Wednesday pre-Thanksgiving rush hour is expected to begin about two hours earlier than on a typical Wednesday, Bak says. He urges drivers to avoid traveling between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to skip the worst delays.

Thanksgiving travelers are expected to spend an average of $573 over the course of their holiday travel, AAA says. "Lower prices are increasing disposable income and enabling families to carve out more money from household budgets for travel this Thanksgiving," Doney says.

But many will be spending less than a year ago, according to a GasBuddy.com survey this month of more than 81,000 people; 71% say they expect to spend less on Thanksgiving this year.

All those travelers mean an increased safety risk: The National Safety Council estimates 418 people will be killed during the holiday and another 44,700 injured seriously enough to require medical attention.

Researchers at the University of Alabama Center for Advanced Public Safety say that vehicle crashes caused by deer, alcohol and bad weather are more common during Thanksgiving week than the rest of the year. Their most crucial piece of advice: Buckle up.

Jim Davis, a spokesman for tiremaker Goodyear North America, says Thanksgiving serves as a reminder that a drop in tire inflation pressure corresponds with falling thermometer readings. "Maintaining proper air pressure is the single most important thing drivers can do for their tires," he says.