An impressive 46.3 million people in the United States will be covering 50 miles or more from their home during the Thanksgiving weekend, a surge of 4.2 percent from 2013.
According to the projection of AAA – The Auto Club Group, the figures of travelers for this year’s Thanksgiving weekend is the highest for the holiday since 2007.
AAA is a travel agency and also a car lobbying group.
AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said, “During the Thanksgiving holiday period, roads and airports will be packed as more Americans will travel than any year since 2007.”
The report showed about 90 percent of travelers, i.e. 41.3 million Americans, will be celebrating their Thanksgiving holiday while enjoying a long road trip with the boost from lowered gas prices in nearly four years.
“The rise in travelers comes as Americans grow more optimistic about the future. Falling gas prices and improvements in several key economic factors, including employment, GDP and disposable income, are boosting consumer confidence and the desire to travel,” Jenkins said.
The travel period for the Thanksgiving holiday runs from Wednesday (November 26) to Sunday (November 30).
41.3 million Americans, i.e. over 89 percent travellers, will be travelling by automobile. It is a 4.3 percent rise from last year’s 39.6 million.
The people taking the air route for Thanksgiving holiday is 3.55 million, the highest level since 2007.
During the Thanksgiving trip, the Americans will be travelling an average distance of 549 miles round trip and spending an average of USD 573 during the holiday weekend.