AAA is predicting the number of Americans traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday will increase 11.4 percent from 2009, with approximately 42.2 million travelers taking a trip at least 50 miles away from home.
Last year, 37.9 million Americans traveled during the Thanksgiving holiday. The 2010 Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as Nov. 24-28.
Trips by automobile remain the dominant mode of transportation for holiday travel with 94 percent of travelers, or 39.7 million people, reaching their destination by driving. It is an increase of 12 percent from last Thanksgiving, and the largest percentage ever recorded by AAA for all five major travel holidays (Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving & Christmas/New Year’s Holidays).
Gas prices have remained steady in the past month. The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Washington is $3.11 per gallon, up 4 cents from a month ago and up 26 cents from a year ago. In Idaho prices are down slightly in the past week, with an average of $2.95 per gallon, but up 26 cents since last Thanksgiving holiday. Nationally, prices are $2.89 per gallon, up 26 cents from one year ago.
With nearly 40 million travelers expected on the roads this Thanksgiving, history tells us many will experience roadside breakdowns or other automotive problems during their journey. To help avoid car trouble and unnecessary delays during holiday travel, AAA recommends that travelers perform a maintenance inspection at least one week prior to hitting the road to allow time to address any issues they may uncover. Some basic items most travelers can check themselves include tire tread, tire pressure, wiper blades and battery connections.
Air travel expected to increase
Leisure air travel is expected to account for 4 percent of overall travel with 1.62 million holiday flyers, an increase of 3.5 percent from last year’s 1.57 million flyers. Trips by other modes, including rail, bus and watercraft, will be the dominant means of travel used by two percent of all travelers.
According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, airfares over Thanksgiving are expected to increase four percent from last year with an average lowest round-trip rate of $176 for the top 40 U.S. air routes. Weekend daily car rental rates will decrease four percent to an average of $42. Hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond lodgings are expected to increase six percent from a year ago with travelers spending an average of $136 per night compared to $128 last year.
Local travel forecast
The Pacific Region is expected to be in line with the national forecast. Travel originating in the Pacific Region is expected to increase 11.3 percent, or 6.89 million people are expected to traveling 50 miles or more from home. Approximately 6.30 million travelers are going by automobile, an increase of 12.2 percent, and air travel is expected to increase 3.6 percent with 400,000 people traveling by plane.
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For more information: www.aaawa.com or by calling 1-800-562-2582.
