Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Forecast

Portland, Ore. – AAA forecasts 46.3 million Americans (14.5 percent of the population) will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, an increase of 4.2 percent over 2013 and the highest volume for the holiday since 2007.
Marie Dodds of Oregon AAA says here are some quick facts about Thanksgiving travel from AAA:
* 46.3 million – number of total travelers nationally, up 4.2 percent compared to 2013.
* 7.6 million – number of Thanksgiving travelers in the Pacific Region (Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska and Hawaii), up 3.5 percent compared to 2013.
* Busiest travel day – Wed., Nov 26.
* Most will drive to their Thanksgiving destination – 89 percent plan to go by car. 41 million will drive, a 4.3 percent increase compared to 2013. In the Pacific Region, 86 percent plan to go by car with 6.5 million driving, an increase of 3.6 percent.
* Impact of gas prices on travel – AAA says most drivers will pay the lowest gas prices for the Thanksgiving holiday since 2009. Cheaper gas prices are helping to boost disposable income.
* Air travel at highest level since 2007 – 3.6 million will fly nationally, up 3 percent. In the Pacific Region, 820,000 will take to the skies, up 2.5 percent from last year. Airfares are up one percent from last year.
* Hotel rates up 8 to 9 percent, car rental rates up 10 percent.
* Average travel distance – 549 miles nationally, 434 miles in the Pacific Region.
* Median spending – $573 nationally, $700 in the Pacific Region.
* Activities – spending time with family and friends (89 percent), dining (70 percent) and shopping (59 percent).

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