AAA Chicago: 43.4 Million Americans to Travel for Thanksgiving; Slight Decline from Last Year

AURORA, Ill., Nov. 20, 2013­ /PRNewswire/ -- AAA projects 43.4 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a decrease of 1.5 percent from the 44 million people who traveled last year. This decrease falls just shy of last Thanksgiving's four-year peak since the recession-driven declines in 2008-2009 when Thanksgiving travel fell by 25 percent. The Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, Nov. 27 to Sunday, Dec. 1.

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The total number of Illinois travelers will be 2.3 million, a 1.3 percent increase from 2012, with 2.08 million traveling by auto (down 1.3 percent from 2012) and 167,000 traveling by air (a 3.6 percent decrease from 2012). In Indiana, there will be 997,000 total travelers this year, a 0.8 percent decrease from 2012, with 896,000 traveling by auto (a 0.8 percent decrease) and 72,000 traveling by air (a 2.4 percent decrease). Gas prices are lower than 2012 as travelers take to the roads this weekend. In Illinois the average cost of an unleaded gallon of gasoline is $3.27 and in Indiana the cost is $3.20.

National highlights from the 2013 AAA Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Forecast include:

• Thanksgiving travelers to total 43.4 million, a decrease of 1.5 percent from the 44 million who traveled last year
• Ninety percent of travelers or 38.9 million to travel by automobile, a decline of 1.6 percent
• Median spending expected to drop nearly seven percent to $465, compared to $498 last year.
• The Thanksgiving holiday is a less expensive holiday for travelers compared to other holidays. This year Labor Day spending was expected to be $804, Independence Day $749 and Memorial Day $659.
• Holiday air travel to decline 3.7 percent to 3.14 million travelers from 3.26 million in 2012
• Average distance traveled to increase to 601 miles from 588 miles.
• The Wednesday before Thanksgiving will be the busiest single day of travel with 37 percent of travelers departing for trips Nov. 27.

"While the economy continues to improve, the sluggish pace of the recovery is creating uncertainty in the minds of some consumers and therefore AAA is projecting a slight decline in the number of Thanksgiving travelers this year," said AAA Regional President Brad Roeber. 

"Additionally, while we do not yet know the full impact that the recent tornadoes will have on travel from the areas affected across Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, we do know that the impact for many in that region is substantial. It is too early to determine how travelers across this region will alter their travel plans based on the recovery efforts underway," continued Roeber.

Impact of gasoline prices on travel plans
AAA estimates that most drivers will pay the cheapest gas prices for the Thanksgiving holiday since 2010. The national average is at the cheapest level of the year and should continue to drop in the weeks ahead. Drivers can find stations selling gas for less than $3.00 per gallon in the vast majority of states. The decreased cost of gas will provide consumers with real savings that could be used for other purposes on the trip.

Wednesday before the holiday will be busiest travel day
The Thanksgiving holiday is unique falling on a Thursday every year. Many people are off from work the Friday after; giving travelers more time to spend with family and friends.   AAA asked intended travelers which days they would depart for and return from Thanksgiving travel. Among those surveyed, the highest volumes of travelers plan to leave for their trip the Wednesday before the holiday (37 percent) and return the following Sunday (33 percent) with another 24 percent expecting to return on Monday, Dec 2 or later.

Automobile travel remains dominant mode of transportation, air travel decreases
Approximately 90 percent of travelers or 38.9 million people plan to travel by automobile this Thanksgiving. This is a 1.6 percent decrease over the 39.5 million people who traveled by auto last year.  Air travel is expected to decrease 3.7 percent as 3.14 million holiday travelers will take to the skies.

Those traveling by air will find airfares comparable to last year according to AAA's Leisure travel Index.  For the Thanksgiving holiday the average lowest round-trip rate is $187 for the top 40 U.S. air routes compared to $188 last year. Approximately 1.4 million travelers will choose other modes of transportation, including rail, bus and cruise ship.

Hotel rates relatively flat, car rental rates increase six percent
According to AAA's Leisure Travel Index, Thanksgiving holiday hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond lodgings are expected to average $142 per night compared to $143 last year. Travelers planning to stay at AAA Two Diamond hotels can expect to pay an average cost of $105 per night, compared to $104 in 2012.  Weekend daily car rental rates will average $50, compared to $47 last year.

Average travel distance increases
According to the survey of intended travelers, the average distance traveled by Americans during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is expected to be 601 miles, which is an increase of 2.2 percent from last year when travelers planned to log 588 miles. 

Median spending down almost seven percent; visiting family, dining and shopping top activities
Median spending is expected to be $465, a 6.6 percent decrease compared to the expected median spending of intended holiday travelers ($498) in 2012.

While spending time with friends and relatives and dining are primary activities for nearly all holidays, it is even more relevant for Thanksgiving travelers. Therefore it is not surprising that spending time with family and friends (67 percent) and dining (56 percent) are the most popular activities planned by travelers. Despite lower median spending, nearly half of all travelers (44 percent) plan to shop during the holiday which can be expected given Black Friday occurs during the holiday weekend.

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 the major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades. The complete AAA / IHS Global Insight 2013 Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Forecast can be found at NewsRoom.AAA.com.  

SOURCE AAA Chicago