NEW YORK —
Slightly more Americans will hit the road this Thanksgiving, according to AAA. That includes people who are choosing to drive instead of fly as household budgets remain tight.
In its annual Thanksgiving travel forecast released Tuesday, AAA predicts 43.6 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday, up just 0.7 percent from last year.
But while more people are traveling, it appears that the pent-up demand seen following the recession has largely dissipated. Demand grew a healthy 8 percent and 6 percent, respectively, in the two previous Thanksgiving holiday periods even though economic growth was moderate. Now, AAA says it will take a stronger economy to spur a significant jump in travel demand going forward.
“Despite mild improvements in unemployment, the housing market and greater consumer optimism, the economy is still struggling to keep its head above water,” AAA said in its forecast.
The number of travelers forecast to drive, fly or hop on a train or bus this holiday is still 26 percent below the peak in 2005 and 14 percent below 2007.
Air travel is expected to decline, one sign that many households continue to feel financially pinched. AAA expects 3.14 million people to fly, down from 3.2 million a year earlier. Even with gas at a current national average of $3.44 per gallon, driving the family from New England to the Midwest to see the relatives is still cheaper than flying.
And filling up the tank will take less money than people expected when the survey was conducted in early October. That’s because of a dramatic drop in gas prices. The national average has declined 35 cents per gallon in the last month. AAA expects further declines through the holiday. Still, the price of gas on Thanksgiving Day should be around last year’s record of $3.32 per gallon.
Airlines for America, the main trade group for U.S. airlines expects a mild increase in flying over Thanksgiving. The group’s prediction covers the 12 days starting Nov. 16. AAA defines the Thanksgiving holiday travel period as Wednesday, Nov. 21 to Sunday, Nov. 25.
AAA’s forecast, which is produced from a combination of a traveler survey and economic analysis, was done before Superstorm Sandy hit the East Coast. AAA said it doesn’t yet know the full impact the storm will have on travel in the Mid-Atlantic region, but it expects it will be significant.
Top News
Related Photos
-
The number of Americans hitting the road for Thanksgiving in 2012, is expected to increase slightly from a year ago, according to AAA's annual Thanksgiving travel forecast. AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File
Discussion
November 14, 2012
AAA: Thanksgiving travel should increase slightly
- Top News
-
-
Close battle of East and West
DAYTON, Ohio -- Games often come down to which team takes better advantage of its opportunities. That was the case Tuesday night at the Midwest League All-Star Game. The East squad managed only eight hits, but went 5-for-8 with runners in scoring pos
- Community stands up to support Fulton coach FULTON, Ill. -- Community members flooded the River Bend District Office on Monday to speak their minds and share their feelings on the school board's decision to not reinstate Coach Jamie Farrell as the Fulton High School Boys Varsity Baseball coach
- Branstad appoints interim education director ASSOCIATED PRESS DES MOINES -- Gov. Terry Branstad announced an interim director for the Iowa Department of Education on Tuesday. Branstad said Duane "D.T." Magee will run the department while the state looks for a permanent replacement for outgoing
-
Man charged after knife incident
CLINTON -- A bar fight on Saturday escalated with one man returning with a knife. Ricardo Hernandez, 48, 441 Sixth Ave. South, apartment five, is charged with going armed with intent, carrying weapons and public intoxication. Clinton police responde
-
Called 'Next Stephen Hawking,' teen is perfect on math exam
There's a wall on the third floor of Lewiston-Porter High School dedicated to celebrating perfect scores on state mathematics exams. A new name joined the growing list Tuesday, which brought a smile to the face of everyone involved.
-
Skin cancer screening is set for Saturday
CLINTON — A free skin cancer screening will be held this weekend in Clinton.
-
Rebels win wild walk-off in extras
GOOSE LAKE -- In a game where scoring runs seemed unfathomable, Michael Hartung found himself with an improbable chance to seal victory for Northeast. Setting him up was an errant throw by Maquoketa allowing Cole Dickey to reach second base; a toweri
-
To ease shortage, grow organs in a lab?
NEW YORK -- By the time 10-year-old Sarah Murnaghan finally got a lung transplant last week, she'd been waiting for months, and her parents had sued to give her a better shot at surgery. Her cystic fibrosis was threatening her life, and her case spur
-
Waterlogged: Covering the stadium bills recommended
CLINTON — The city of Clinton is considering covering more than $10,000 in bills relating to water damage at Ashford University Field.
-
City looks at upping waste service fees
CLINTON -- Clinton residents could soon pay $1.39 more for their solid waste services monthly as city officials find ways to shore up the solid waste fund.
- More Top News Headlines
-
