This year’s increase in Thanksgiving travel is spurred by improvements in the economy during the second half of the year, including rising wages, increased consumer spending and overall strength in consumer confidence. And despite recent incremental increases in the national average price of gasoline, AAA estimates U.S. drivers have saved more than $28 billion so far at the pumps this year compared to the same period last year.
“One million more Americans than last year will carve out time to visit with friends and family this Thanksgiving,” AAA Western and Central New York President and CEO Anthony Spada said. “Most will travel on the tried and true holiday road trip. Others will fly, take the bus or set off on a cruise to celebrate with their loved ones.”
On a state level, an estimated 3,034,123 million New Yorkers are forecasted to travel 50 miles or more this Thanksgiving, up about 40,000 from 2015. The majority will be driving (2.7 million), while nearly 258,000 will fly and about 78,000 will use other modes of transportation.
The vast majority — more than 89 percent — of holiday travelers will drive this Thanksgiving. The 43.5 million Americans planning a Thanksgiving road trip represents an increase of 1.9 percent over last year. Air travel is expected to increase 1.6 percent, with 3.69 million Americans flying to their holiday destinations. Travel by other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses, will increase only slightly this Thanksgiving, to 1.44 million travelers.
Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.17, 12 cents less than the average price on Thanksgiving last year. The NYS average is $2.39, four cents less than last year. Most U.S. drivers will pay the second-cheapest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2008, when the national average was $1.85.
AAA expects to rescue more than 370,000 motorists this Thanksgiving, with the primary reasons being dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts. AAA recommends that motorists check the condition of their battery and tires and pack emergency kits in their vehicles and have their car inspected by a trusted mechanic before heading out on a holiday getaway.
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