Multitude of Car Journeys, Air Travel, and Highway Congestion Anticipated During Thanksgiving Vacation
With the holiday season fast approaching, Thanksgiving 2024 is shaping up to be a busy travel period. According to AAA's latest travel forecast, nearly 80 million Americans are expected to hit the road, skies, and seas, marking a significant rebound in travel demand.
For those seeking sun, sand, and theme park adventures, popular destinations include Orlando, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale in Florida, as well as Anaheim. International beach destinations like Nassau (Bahamas) and Montego Bay (Jamaica) are also on the radar for those seeking a warm tropical getaway.
For those preferring a quieter, more cultural experience, Memphis, Fayetteville, Golden (Colorado), and Savannah (Georgia) are favoured choices.
The travel boom is not limited to one mode of transportation. Air travel is forecasted to set a new Thanksgiving record as 5.84 million people take to the skies, a 2% uptick over last year and an 11% leap from 2019. Road trips are expected to dominate with 71.7 million people planning to hit the road, a 1.3 million jump over last year and exceeding 2019's numbers.
Rental car demand is especially high in cities like Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oahu, Orlando, and Phoenix, suggesting robust road and air travel activity. Train travel is also seeing a boost, with nearly a 9% increase over last year and an 18% increase from 2019.
Cruise travel is up by 20% compared to 2019, making it an attractive option for many. Bus travel is expected to see a nearly 9% increase over last year and an 18% increase from 2019.
Stacey Barber, VP of AAA Travel, stated that Thanksgiving is their busiest holiday for travel and they are predicting record numbers across all modes of transportation. To avoid congestion, it is advised to hit the road early Sunday or Monday morning for post-holiday returns.
For those planning to travel, it is worth noting that metro areas like Boston, New York, LA, Seattle, and DC are expected to experience doubled congestion during peak times. INRIX traffic data suggests avoiding Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons for travel, while Thanksgiving Day itself is ideal.
Domestic fares are up 3%, while international travel is seeing a surge, partly driven by a 5% drop in overseas ticket prices and increased demand.
AAA's holiday forecast relies on macroeconomic data, travel trends, and surveys to project travel volumes. The updated travel forecast includes travel starting Tuesday before Thanksgiving through the Monday afterward.
With lower gas prices potentially pushing national averages below $3/gallon for the first time since 2021, and some states seeing prices between $2.25-$2.50 per gallon, it seems that Thanksgiving 2024 is set to be a busy and affordable travel season for many.
References: 1. Travel + Leisure 2. USA Today 3. AAA 4. CNBC 5. Fodor's Travel
- For individuals seeking a mix of travel and a cultural lifestyle, popular destinations like Memphis, Fayetteville, Golden (Colorado), and Savannah (Georgia) offer a quieter, more culturally enriching experience.
- As the travel boom continues, cruise travel is becoming an increasingly popular choice for those seeking a unique lifestyle infused with tropical vacation, as it is up by 20% compared to 2019, making it an attractive option for many travelers.
