An estimated 53 million folks – a 13% increase over last year – will break bread with family and friends this Thanksgiving, bringing this year’s travel volume within 5% of 2019’s pre-pandemic levels, said AAA.
This year also marks the highest single-year increase in travel volume since 2005 so it looks like travelers will be crimping pie crusts rather than travel plans this holiday, according to the auto club’s annual Thanksgiving survey
“Thanksgiving travel is on the rebound!” said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast spokeswoman. “Holiday travel is looking very different from last year so, prepare for busy roads and packed airports between November 23 and 27.”
Of this year’s overall 53 million travelers,
- 90% or 48.3 million people expect to drive, still the most popular choice to visit family and friends. This is an 8% increase over last year.
- 8% or 4.2 million people will travel by plane, up a whopping 80% compared to last year; and
- The remaining 2% or 1 million travelers, a 262% increase over last year, will go by train, boat or other mode of transportation.
What’s driving this year’s travel increase? There are several factors, said Mayko:
- Despite higher gas prices and overall hotel costs, there’s a pent-up desire to travel now that the pandemic is subsiding. Many domestic and international borders have re-opened and new health and safety guidelines are in place.
- Compared to last November, many domestic and international borders have re-opened with new health and safety guidelines in place. In fact, the US opened international borders to fully vaccinated visitors just this week.
“Thanksgiving has ways been known as the holiday for family and friends to count their blessings,” added Mayko. “So, the tradition to spend time with loved ones also is providing a double helping of travel this year.”
As the car continues to be the preferred mode of holiday travel, travelers should prepare for heavier than normal road congestion in major metro areas, such as Boston and New York, beginning Wednesday (Nov. 24) during the mid- to late-afternoon period. Drivers should consider leaving for travel destinations after 9 pm Wednesday; before 11 am on Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after; and before 12 noon on Saturday and Sunday.
Airline travelers also should expect longer check-in lines and extra time for TSA security checks at airports. Tuesday is expected to be the most expensive and heaviest travel day for flyers, with Monday, the lightest, and least expensive.