AAA Forecasts 46.9 Million American Travelers During Thanksgiving Holiday

Indianapolis, IN – Nov. 17, 2015 – AAA Travel forecasts 46.9 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday, a 0.6 percent increase over the 46.6 million people who traveled last year and the most since 2007. With 300,000 additional holiday travelers, this marks the seventh consecutive year of growth for the Thanksgiving holiday season, a period defined as Wednesday, November 25 to Sunday, November 29.

 

In Indiana, an estimated 1,050,493 Hoosiers will travel this season, a 1.1 percent increase from 2014.

 

Driving remains most popular mode of travel for Thanksgiving Nearly 42 million Americans will take a holiday road trip this Thanksgiving, an increase of 0.7 percent over last year.

 

For Indiana residents, AAA says 941,231 will drive to their Thanksgiving destinations compared to 928,909 one year ago.

 

Air travel is expected to increase by 0.1 percent, with 3.6 million Americans flying to their holiday destinations.

 

AAA notes a slight drop-off in the number of Indiana residents expected to fly this holiday period…78.967 this year compared to 79,066 in 2014.

 

Travel by other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses, will decrease 1.4 percent this Thanksgiving, to 1.4 million travelers.

 

Lowest Thanksgiving gas prices in seven years expected Drivers nationwide continue to experience significant yearly savings in the price of gas and AAA estimates that consumers are saving nearly $265 million on gasoline every day compared to a year ago. This has helped boost disposable income, enabling many Americans to travel this Thanksgiving. Most U.S. drivers will pay the lowest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2008. Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.145 which is 74 cents less than the average price on Thanksgiving last year ($2.80).

 

Indiana’s current statewide gas price average is $1.987 compared to $2.902 on this date in 2014.

 

Holiday travel expenses According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, airfares are projected to decrease 10 percent this Thanksgiving, landing at an average of $169 roundtrip across the top 40 domestic flight routes. Rates for AAA Three Diamond rated lodgings are expected to remain relatively flat, with travelers spending an average of $155 per night. The average rate for a AAA Two Diamond rated hotel has risen four percent with an average nightly cost of $118. Daily car rental rates will average $60, eight percent higher than last Thanksgiving.

 

#AAAToTheRescue for thousands of motorists this Thanksgiving AAA expects to rescue more than 360,000 motorists this Thanksgiving, with the primary reasons being dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts. AAA recommends motorists check the condition of their battery and tires before heading out on a holiday getaway. Also, have vehicles inspected by a trusted repair shop, such as one of the nearly 7,000 AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities across North America. Members can download the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com or call 1-800-AAA-HELP to request roadside assistance.

 

Download the AAA Mobile app before a Thanksgiving getaway Before setting out on a Thanksgiving trip, download the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Travelers can use the app to map a route, find lowest gas prices, access exclusive member discounts, make travel arrangements, request AAA roadside assistance, find AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities and more. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.

 

With the AAA Mobile app, travelers can also find more than 58,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants via TripTik Travel Planner. AAA’s is the only rating system that uses full-time, professionally trained evaluators to inspect each property on an annual basis. Every AAA Approved establishment offers the assurance of acceptable cleanliness, comfort and hospitality, and ratings of One to Five Diamonds help travelers find the right match for amenities and services.

 

AAA’s projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight. The Colorado-based business information provider teamed with AAA in 2009 to jointly analyze travel trends during major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades. The complete AAA/IHS Global Insight 2015 Thanksgiving holiday travel forecast can be found here.