AAA Chicago Highlights Thanksgiving Travel Milestone: Levels Above Pre-9/11

AURORA, Ill., Nov. 19, 2004 -- Thanksgiving Holiday travel is expected to hit pre-September 11th levels for the first time since 9/11 according to AAA Chicago. Some 37 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving. That's 3 percent more than last year. Roughly 82 percent, or 31 million, of travelers will go by car, a 3 percent increase over the number of Americans who drove during Thanksgiving last year.

"More Americans will travel this Thanksgiving due to increased confidence in airline security and the economy in general," says Kris Lathan, spokeswoman for AAA Chicago. "It's an encouraging comeback for the travel industry because air fares, hotel rates and gas prices have all gone up in the past year. Yet, that's not discouraging people from making the extended trip to Grandma's for Thanksgiving turkey."

Gasoline prices will be the highest-ever for a Thanksgiving holiday period. Currently in Illinois, regular unleaded self-serve gasoline costs an average of $1.97 per gallon. Compared to last year's average of $1.55 per gallon, this Thanksgiving it will cost holiday drivers anywhere from $5 to $8 more to fill their vehicle.

According to AAA's Leisure Travel Index, approximately 12 percent, or close to 5 million, of Thanksgiving travelers expect to fly to their respective destinations. In spite of the 3 percent increase in airfares over the last year, the number of Americans who will fly this Thanksgiving represents a 3 percent increase over last year.

The Index also shows that three-diamond hotel rates are up nearly 6 percent compared to last year. However, only some 23 percent of holiday travelers expect to utilize hotels and motels, as the vast majority, 63 percent, of Thanksgiving travelers expect to stay at the homes of relatives or friends.

"Most travel-related costs are up compared to last year," Lathan says. "Still, most trips will cost less than they did in 2000 mainly due to increased competition from discount airlines and the fact that hotel rates are only just starting to rebound from recessionary lows."

The Midwest will be the starting point for nearly 7 million auto travelers and about 700,000 air travelers. Small towns and rural areas are the intended destinations for 40 percent of all Thanksgiving travelers, followed closely by cities at 36 percent.

AAA's Thanksgiving Holiday travel research is based on a national telephone survey of 1,300 adults by the Travel Industry Association of America, which conducts special research for member clubs of the national AAA organization.

For more than 100 years, AAA has represented the interests of the nation's motorists and served as an advocate for various traffic safety and travel related issues. AAA Chicago has served that role in Illinois since its founding in 1906.

AAA Chicago offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG clubs belong to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization, with more than 46 million members in the United States and Canada.