Increases in both air and auto travel will push Thanksgiving travel volumes above pre-September 11 levels for the first time, according to AAA Southern New England. AAA estimated that 37.2 million Americans will travel 50 or more miles from home this holiday, 3.1 percent more than last year’s 36.1 million travelers.
“Travelers’ increased confidence in both the economy and airline security will make this an extremely busy travel holiday,” said Robert P. Murray, AAA Southern New England senior vice president of corporate affairs. “Air fares, hotel rates and gas prices have all increased from last Thanksgiving, yet more of us are traveling than in 2000.”
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AAA estimated that 30.6 million travelers, or 82 percent of all holiday travelers, expect to travel by motor vehicle, a 2.9 percent increase from the 29.8 million people who drove a year ago. Another 4.6 million or 12 percent of travelers plan to go by airplane, up 4 percent from the 4.4 million who flew last year. The remaining 2 million or 5 percent said they will travel by train, bus or other mode of transportation, up slightly from 1.9 million in 2003.
In Rhode Island, gas prices have fallen for the third straight week, AAA reported on Monday. The agency’s weekly survey of gas prices found self serve, regular unleaded averaging $2.02 per gallon, 2 cents lower than last week and 5 cents lower than three weeks ago. Last year, the price of that grade of gas at Thanksgiving was $1.57.
AAA said it continues to find a wide range of prices among stations with self-serve unleaded gas, this week 25 cents from $1.93 to $2.18. AAA recommended that motorists shop around for the best prices in their area.
