AAA Travel Predictions for Thanksgiving

Travelers this Thanksgiving are facing record high gas prices for November but they will not be deterred from seeing friends and family this holiday.

AAA estimates that 38.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, a modest 1.5 percent increase from last year’s 38.1 million travelers.

“This is the first time that we have seen gas prices topping more than $3 a gallon in November,” said Robert Darbelnet, AAA’s president and CEO. “A year ago prices were in the range of $2.20 a gallon, so this year travelers are really feeling the pinch. But…higher gas will not discourage Americans from connecting with their loved ones.”

AAA said this is consistent with historical data, which shows that high gas prices do not generally keep people from traveling by car.

While travelers will be paying more at the pump, they will be getting a break in other areas of their travel budget this holiday.

Following steep increases last year, hotels, airfares and car rental prices are all either flat or showing a drop in price, according to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index., compared to last year.

Holiday hotel rates are down 3% for AAA-Rated Three Diamond hotels, after a significant increase last year. Rates at AAA Two Diamond hotels are up by only 1% this holiday.

Expect lower rates for rental cars, as well, with an average decrease of 12%. With an average seven percent decrease from last year, airline passengers will be getting a bit of a break this holiday.

Approximately 31.2 million travelers (80% of all holiday travelers) expect to go by motor vehicle, a 1.3% increase from the 30.8 million who drove in 2006.

For more information, visit www.aaa.com.