Thanksgiving is approaching and AAA projects more than 55 million travelers will make trips of at least 50 miles or more for the approaching holiday period.
AAA stated that this year’s prediction of 55.4 million travelers is 2.3% more than last year and marks the third-highest Thanksgiving forecast since the organization started tracking holiday travel in 2000.
Oklahoma’s estimate of travelers won’t be available until next week.
“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.”
AAA stated that most travelers, 49.1 million Americans, will be driving. It represents an increase of 1.7% compared to last year and drivers will be greeted by lower gasoline prices.
Another 4.7 million people will fly and that’s an increase of 6.6% compared to 2022—also the highest number of Thanksgiving air travelers since 2005.
The number of people traveling by cruise, bus, and train over Thanksgiving is up nearly 11% over last year.