Thanksgiving Travel Numbers

AAA says Thanksgiving holiday travel is expected to reach the highest level since 2007, with nearly 1.5 Michiganders and over 46.3 million Americans taking a trip. The 2014 forecast is 4.9 percent higher than the 1.4 million Michiganders and 4.2 percent higher than the 44.4 million Americans who traveled last year. This is the greatest growth rate for any holiday since Independence Day 2012. Almost 90 percent of Michigan and U.S. travelers will celebrate the holiday with a road trip and likely will enjoy the lowest Thanksgiving gas prices in five years. Today’s average price for gas in Michigan is $2.92 per gallon, which is 35 cents lower than the $3.27 per gallon average price for Thanksgiving a year ago. Air travel for Thanksgiving is expected to be at the highest level since 2007, with over 110,00 Michiganders and 3.55 million Americans taking to the skies. Travelers will encounter moderately higher prices with airfares one percent higher, mid-range hotels up eight percent and car rentals costing 10 percent more.