AAA forecasts highest travel volume in a dozen years
AAA projects 50.9 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more away from home this Thanksgiving; a 3.3 percent increase over last year. The 2017 holiday weekend will see the most Thanksgiving travelers since 2005, with 1.6 million more people taking to the nation’s roads, skies, rails and waterways compared with last year.
“Thanksgiving kicks off the start of what will likely become the busiest holiday season in more than a decade,” said Vicky Evans, Assistant Vice President, Travel Sales Development, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “A strong economy and labor market are generating rising incomes and higher consumer confidence. These factors should help fuel consumer spending and generate a strong finish for the travel industry this year.”
The Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, Nov. 22 to Sunday, Nov. 26.
Florida Forecast
- Total Travelers:6 million Floridians will travel 50 miles or more; an increase of 80,230 people (3.2%) over last year.
- Road Trip Ready:3 million will take a Thanksgiving road trip; an increase of 71,786 people (3.2%).
- Flying High: 190,720 Floridians are forecast to take a flight; the most since 220,000 flew in 2007. The 4.5% y-o-y increase (8,158) is the largest percentage increase among the three major transportation modes.
- Alternate Travel: 53,860 Floridians will travel by other means like trains, buses, and cruises. The 0.5 percent increase represents 286 more travelers than last year, and the most since 2008.
- Fueling Up: Gas prices in Florida averaged $2.10 on Thanksgiving 2016. This Thanksgiving, pump prices are likely to be the highest since 2014.
National Forecast
- Road Trippers:89 percent of all travelers –45.5 million– are planning a Thanksgiving road trip; an increase of 1.6 million people (3.2%) over last year.
- Cheaper Airfare: Consumers will pay the cheapest average airfare since 2013. View the pricing index
- Fuller Skies:The largest growth in holiday travel is by air travel, at 5 percent, with 3.95 million travelers.
- Alternate Travel:Travel by trains and other modes (including buses and cruises) is expected to increase 1.1 percent to 1.48 million travelers.
- Fueling Up:Drivers will pay the highest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2014.
- Holiday High:Car rental daily rates will hit a five-year holiday high at $70/day due to an increase in domestic demand and cost of newer vehicles.
Travelers Still Hitting the Road, Despite Higher Gas Prices
- Gas prices surged earlier this month. The state average rose 13 cents in three days. Some markets saw increases of 25 cents.
- On Wednesday, gas prices in Florida averaged $2.52. The state average was $2.10 on Thanksgiving 2016, $2.08 in 2015, and $2.79 in 2014.
- Compared to last year’s holiday, it will cost the average motorist $6 more for a full tank of gasoline.
- Gas prices in the U.S. are averaging $2.56.
- The national average on Thanksgiving Day was $2.13 in 2016, $2.05 in 2015, and $2.80 in 2014.
Highest gas prices in three years
“AAA expects drivers will pay the highest Thanksgiving gas prices in three years, thanks to strong demand and higher oil prices,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA- The Auto Club Group. “Although it will be more expensive to drive to Grandma’s house compared to recent years, the current price at the pump is not high enough to deter Floridians from taking a trip. Most people have already made their travel plans, and will not cancel them for moderate shifts in gas prices.”
“Oil prices reached 2-year highs last week, causing the sudden jump at the pump,” Jenkins continued. “Fortunately, oil prices are beginning to soften, thanks to growth in crude production and inventories; and wholesale gas prices are slipping due to high gasoline production. This should set the table for small discounts at the pump, before the holiday arrives.”
