AAA expects the nation’s roadways to be packed during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. More than 55 million Americans are expected to travel more than 50 miles or more from home. This year’s Thanksgiving forecast is an increase of 2.3% over last year and marks the third-highest Thanksgiving forecast since AAA began tracking holiday travel in 2000.
More than four million regional travelers, including Nebraskans, are among those who will be traveling 50 miles or more. AAA’s Brian Ortner says most will be driving to their destinations, but an increasing number of people will be taking to the skies, rails and seas.
“Those who are traveling by cruises, buses or trains is up over 13 percent over last year.” He says about 235,000 thousand from our region will be making those trips. Thanksgiving road trips should be less costly at the gas pump this year. Despite global tensions causing ripples through the oil market, strong domestic gasoline supplies are causing pump prices to drop.
Last Thanksgiving, the state average price for gasoline was $3.38 per gallon. Today the state average is $3.20.