AAA projects 43.6 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, an increase of 0.7 percent over the 43.3 million people who traveled last year. This increase marks the fourth consecutive year of growing holiday travelers since 2008 when Thanksgiving travel fell by 25 percent. The Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, Nov. 21 to Sunday, Nov. 25.
“In 2008 only 37.8 million Americans traveled over the Thanksgiving holiday, the lowest number in a decade,” said Shawn Kaup, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at AAA Central Penn. “We have seen a steady increase in the number of travelers taking to the roads and skies every year after. Americans continue to find ways to economize their budgets so they can spend time with family. It’s important to note Hurricane Sandy has affected many Americans, and we still do not know the full impact it will have on travel throughout the Mid-Atlantic region,” continued Kaup.
Impact of gasoline prices on travel plans
The average price of regular gasoline in Central Pennsylvania is $3.56 which is 12 cents higher than the national average, although local prices have dropped 30 cents over the last month. Statewide, Pennsylvania is reporting an average price of $3.63, making prices in the mid-state slightly lower than other metro areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh who are both around $3.67. Nationally, prices are expected to drop to between $3.25-3.40 a gallon by the holiday.
Wednesday before the holiday is expected to be busiest travel day
The Thanksgiving holiday is unique falling on a Thursday every year. Many people are off from work the Friday after, giving travelers the opportunity to spend more time with family and friends. AAA asked intended travelers which days they would depart for and return from Thanksgiving Travel. Among those surveyed, the majority of travelers plan to leave the Wednesday before the holiday (45 percent) and return the following Sunday (36 percent) with another 25 percent expecting to return on Monday, Nov. 26.
“In 2008 only 37.8 million Americans traveled over the Thanksgiving holiday, the lowest number in a decade,” said Shawn Kaup, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at AAA Central Penn. “We have seen a steady increase in the number of travelers taking to the roads and skies every year after. Americans continue to find ways to economize their budgets so they can spend time with family. It’s important to note Hurricane Sandy has affected many Americans, and we still do not know the full impact it will have on travel throughout the Mid-Atlantic region,” continued Kaup.
Impact of gasoline prices on travel plans
The average price of regular gasoline in Central Pennsylvania is $3.56 which is 12 cents higher than the national average, although local prices have dropped 30 cents over the last month. Statewide, Pennsylvania is reporting an average price of $3.63, making prices in the mid-state slightly lower than other metro areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh who are both around $3.67. Nationally, prices are expected to drop to between $3.25-3.40 a gallon by the holiday.
Wednesday before the holiday is expected to be busiest travel day
The Thanksgiving holiday is unique falling on a Thursday every year. Many people are off from work the Friday after, giving travelers the opportunity to spend more time with family and friends. AAA asked intended travelers which days they would depart for and return from Thanksgiving Travel. Among those surveyed, the majority of travelers plan to leave the Wednesday before the holiday (45 percent) and return the following Sunday (36 percent) with another 25 percent expecting to return on Monday, Nov. 26.