AAA Predicts Jump In Travel For Thanksgiving Holiday

A new travel survey finds that more Californians plan to leave home over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

The AAA forecast predicts more than 5.7 million Californians will be traveling 50 miles or more. That's up from last year, if only by a fraction.

"We are seeing an increase, a very slight, just below one percent increase," says Synthia Harris with AAA Northern California. "But this is a steady increase over the past six years. So it's a good sign."

AAA Northern California breaks down all the modes of transportation in its survey. Most of the people traveling, 4.9 million, will be driving. About 180,000 Californians will be traveling by train, boat or other modes of transportation. And 616,000 people will be flying. Harris says those travelers can expect a break on tickets.

"Airfares will decrease by 10 percent from last year," says Harris. "So an average ticket will cost around $169 across the 40 domestic flight routes in the United States."

And Harris says average hotel rates are up by about four percent over last year.

- Capital Public Radio Staff