Prompted by lower gas prices, motorists will hit the highway in big numbers this Thanksgiving holiday period, predicts Towson-based AAA Mid-Atlantic.
The travel advocacy group forecasts 31.7 million people nationwide will venture on the highway 50 miles or more from home this holiday, a 2.7 percent jumpfrom last year. Of those on the road, 599,000 will be Marylanders.
“Hitting the roads to visit friends and loved ones for Thanksgiving is an American tradition,” said Ragina C. Averella, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “If there is one holiday out of the year where increases in rates for hotel rooms, car rentals and gas prices will not deter travelers, Thanksgiving is the holiday.”
Those traveling by car, truck or recreational vehicle make up the majority of holiday travelers. Fueling the road travel are low gas prices. Gas prices in Maryland area are averaging more than 80 cents less than the 4th of July weekend and more than 70 cents less than Labor Day weekend, two of the summer?s busiest travel weekends, according to the AAA?s Daily Fuel Gauge Report.
Although gasoline prices have risen over the past couple of days to an average of about $2.17 per gallon, prices are 10 cents cheaper than this time last year.
“Many families skipped the longer road trips this summer in favor of vacations within shorter distances of their homes as gasoline prices were at or above $3 a gallon. The lower gasoline prices will encourage Americans to get back on the road,” Averella said.
Despite lower gas prices, holiday travelers can expect to pay more for hotel rooms, rental cars and airfares this Thanksgiving, AAA predicts. Those wanting to rent a car this weekend can expect to pay 21 percent more than normal, AAA predicted.
