If you are planning to run through Thanksgiving week, get ready because the highways are about to feel tight. AAA released its latest holiday travel outlook, and the numbers show the kind of volume that makes every driver start planning fuel stops and overnight parking much earlier.
AAA expects 81.8 million people to travel at least 50 miles between Tuesday, Nov. 25, and Monday, Dec. 1. That is 1.6 million more than last year. Out of that group, 73 million will be driving, which sets a new record for Thanksgiving road travel. In other words, the four-wheelers will be out in full force.
That number could climb even higher. AAA notes that about 6 million people are planning to fly, but with recent cancellations disrupting travel, many could end up driving instead.
Fuel prices are holding steady. AAA reports that drivers are paying about the same as last Thanksgiving, when the national average for regular gasoline was 3.06 dollars.
“Thanksgiving travel numbers are always impressive because this holiday has become synonymous with heading out of town to spend time with loved ones,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “People are willing to brave the crowds and make last-minute adjustments to their plans to make lifelong memories, whether it’s visiting extended family or meeting up with friends.”
Drivers working in the Southeast should prepare for especially heavy tourist traffic. AAA says Florida is the top destination again this year, thanks to its theme parks, cruise terminals, and warm weather.
For truckers running freight through these areas, expect heavier-than-normal congestion, more last-minute lane changes, and added pressure on rest area parking as travelers pack the roads. Planning can help avoid unnecessary stress during the busiest stretch of the holiday travel season.
Image Source: AAA
Source: Truckers News
