THE FLYOVER – A record 81.8 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home for the Thanksgiving holiday period, which spans from Nov. 25 to Dec. 1.
This new record is a 1.6 million increase from last year, according to a forecast by AAA. The vast majority—nearly 90% of travelers, or about 73 million people—are expected to drive to their destinations. Gasoline prices are similar to last year, and domestic car rentals are projected to be 15% cheaper.
Despite recent air travel disruptions caused by the resolution of a government shutdown, AAA projects that about 6.1 million Americans will fly, representing a 2% increase from the prior year. See a year-by-year breakdown here.
The Federal Aviation Administration lifted all commercial flight restrictions shortly before the holiday period, allowing airlines to resume regular schedules. Still, some air travelers may opt for driving due to recent uncertainty at airports.