AAA Travel last week said they predict 46.3 million Americans will hit the roads this Thanksgiving weekend.
AAA says this is the highest volume of holiday traffic since 2007. Nearly 90% of the 46.3 million travelers will be on the highways.
“This year, more Americans will give thanks for the opportunity to travel to friends and family than any year since 2007,” said Marshall L. Doney, AAA President and Chief Operating Officer. “Americans are more optimistic about the future as improvements in several key economic factors, including employment, GDP and disposable income, are boosting consumer confidence and the desire to travel.”
The Thanksgiving holiday runs from Wednesday, November 26 through Sunday, November 30.
According to AAA, 3.5 million Americans are expected to fly to their intended destination.
The average distance traveled will be 549 miles roundtrip.
“Holiday joy has come early this year with Americans likely to pay the lowest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2009. Lower prices are increasing disposable income and enabling families to carve out more money from household budgets for travel this Thanksgiving,” continued Doney.