As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, travel forecasts demonstrate a notable surge in the number of Americans planning trips. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), an estimated 79.9 million people are expected to travel a minimum of 50 miles from their homes between November 26 and December 2. This represents an increase of 1.7 million travelers compared to the previous year, marking a significant uptick. One interesting aspect of this year’s projection is AAA’s decision to extend the travel period, which now includes the Tuesday preceding Thanksgiving and the Monday following it, allowing for a broader range of travel plans.
The vast majority of holiday travelers will opt for road trips, with AAA estimating that approximately 71.7 million individuals will hit the highways. This figure indicates an increase of 1.3 million road travelers from last year. Fortunately, these drivers may find relief at the gas station, as the average price for a gallon of gas has reportedly dropped from $3.26 last Thanksgiving to under $3 this year, easing the financial burden of fuel costs during a period when many are traveling long distances to reunite with loved ones.
In addition to road travel, air travel is making its mark this holiday season. Around 5.84 million Americans are projected to take to the skies, a modest rise from the 5.73 million travelers recorded last year. However, these travelers should anticipate a slight increase in airfare, as domestic flight prices have risen about 3% compared to last Thanksgiving. Interestingly, while domestic air travel remains stable, international bookings have surged by an impressive 23%, with costs for overseas flights decreasing by 5%, encouraging more travelers to explore global destinations during the holiday season.
Not to be overlooked, approximately 1.92 million travelers will choose alternative modes of transportation, such as buses, cruises, or trains, reflecting a 9% increase from last year. The growing popularity of cruising is especially prominent, with a 20% rise in cruise bookings according to AAA, showcasing a shift in how some individuals prefer to travel during the holiday.
When examining domestic travel patterns, Florida emerges as a favored destination, with major cities like Orlando, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale topping the charts. New York and Los Angeles/Anaheim follow closely, while a range of other cities including Honolulu, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Atlanta round out the top ten most-visited locales. When it comes to international travel, Budapest holds the title as the most sought-after destination, with travelers also showing increased interest in cities like Cancun, Rome, and Paris.
Thanksgiving serves as an important time for family and friends to gather and reconnect, and this year is expected to break previous travel records across all modes of transportation. As AAA’s Travel Vice President Stacey Barber notes, “Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year we’re expecting to set new records across the board.” The combination of increased travel volume, coupled with lower gas prices and the rising appeal of international journeys, sets the stage for a vibrant holiday travel season where countless families will come together to celebrate.
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