Roughly one million more Americans will hit the streets this Thanksgiving compared to 2015 says AAA.
The association projects that 48.7 million Americans will trek 50 miles or more this year for that turkey dinner, a 1.9 percent increase in traffic over 2015. That is the highest level seen since 2007. The Thanksgiving holiday period stretches from Wednesday, Nov. 23 to Sunday, Nov. 27.
AAA says that the extra travel is due to the economy’s strong second half which has seen increased consumer spending and wage increases. Combined with the still low prices for fuel, this is a recipe for lots of driving this Thanksgiving season. While many Americans will also be sitting on planes and trains to visit loved ones during Thanksgiving, the car still remains the most popular form of transportation, making up 89 percent of travellers.
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Based on AAA bookings, the most popular destination during Thanksgiving is Las Vegas, followed by San Francisco. San Diego, Orlando and New York City are the third, fourth and fifth most visited cities during this season.
Before leaving for grandma’s house, be sure to pack an emergency kit and inspect your battery and tires. Roughly 370,000 motorists will need the services of AAA this year, so try not to be one of them.
