As we get ready for the big Thanksgiving meal with friends and family, a new survey finds a lot of people will take a trip for the holiday.
AAA says 55.4 million Americans are expected to eravel at least 50 miles over the Thanksgiving period.
"This year’s Thanksgiving forecast is an increase of 2.3% over last year and marks the third-highest Thanksgiving forecast since AAA began tracking holiday travel in 2000," AAA Louisiana said in a news release.
The organization says the vast majority of trips are in a motor vehicle. with 49.1 million Americans driving to and from their destinations, an increase of 1.7% compared to 2022.
“For many Americans, Thanksgiving and travel go hand in hand, and this holiday, we expect more people on the roads, skies, and seas compared to 2022,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “Travel demand has been strong all year, and AAA’s Thanksgiving forecast reflects that continued desire to get away and spend time with loved ones.”
Drivers look to be paying less for gas than last Thanksgiving when the national average was $3.58. This year, the national average peaked in mid-August at $3.87 and has been coming down since. Today's average is $3.34.
In the New Orleans area, a gallon of regular costs an average of $2.96. That's down 32 cents compared to last year at this time.
AAA expects 4.7 million people will fly over Thanksgiving, an increase of 6.6% compared to 2022 and the highest number of Thanksgiving air travelers since 2005.
"Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving are the busiest air travel days ahead of the holiday and the most expensive. While Sunday is typically the busiest day to return home, AAA data shows Monday is also a popular day to fly back after Thanksgiving."
