EMERYVILLE, Calif. – This year Thanksgiving holiday travel is well on its way to reaching its highest levels since 2007, according to the latest travel survey from AAA.
AAA Northern California’s travel forecast predicts that more than 5.6 million Californians plan to travel 50 miles or more this extended, four-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This represents an increase of 3.9 percent when compared to last year’s figures.
“Increased disposable income is spurring an increase in consumer spending,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “And for Californians, this post-recession boost and the desire to travel will make this upcoming Thanksgiving holiday a well-deserved celebration to be spent with family and friends.”
According to AAA, car travel will lead the way with more than 4.8 million Californians projected to drive during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This represents a 3.9 percent increase when compared to last year’s figures.
AAA projects that more than 600,000 holiday travelers will fly, which is an increase of 2.7 percent when compared to 2013.
Approximately 192,000 state residents are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, such as boats or trains. This represents an increase of 4.8 percent when compared to last year’s figures.
Nationally, AAA forecasts that more than 46 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the four-day weekend. This represents a 4.2 percent increase compared to last year’s travel statistics.
The AAA Leisure Travel Index reports that prices at AAA Three Diamond lodgings are up about eight percent from a year ago, with an average price of $154 per night. AAA Two Diamond lodgings are expected to be nine percent higher, with an average room costing $114 per night.
This Thanksgiving weekend, those traveling by air will find airfares comparable to last year, according to the AAA Leisure Travel Index.
The average lowest round-trip price is projected to be $189 for the top 40 U.S. air routes. Car rental rates will average $55 for the holiday weekend, up ten percent from last year.
The expected primary activities this holiday weekend will be dining, shopping and visiting family and friends.
According to AAA, a West Coast family of four will drive an average of 434 miles and will spend an average of $700 during the holiday weekend.
The highest expenditures will be on food and beverages, followed by fuel and other transportation spending, and shopping. Visiting family and friends will be the preferred activity, followed by dining out.
Winter driving can prove to be challenging even for the most experienced of motorists. In anticipation of the busiest travel season of the year, AAA offers the following tips to help drivers navigate through precarious winter conditions.
Tips for driving safely on icy roads
– Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
– Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
– Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
– Keep your lights and windshield clean.
– Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
– Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
– Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
– Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
Projections are based on research conducted by IHS Global Insight. The Boston-based economic research and consulting firm teamed with AAA earlier this year as part of an agreement to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades.
