DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – AAA is expecting near record travel this holiday season as over 55-million Americans will travel by car, bus, or plane this Thanksgiving holiday. Of that number, about four million Texans will hit the roads, a 2.5% increase over last year. The roughly 100-thousand additional travelers on Texas highways is mainly due to a strong economy. Consumer confidence, increased spending and rising wages are all factors in Texans making the decision to travel.
Nationally, AAA projects 1.6 million more Americans will take to the nation’s roads, skies, rails and waterways to destinations 50 miles or more away from home this holiday. That’s an increase of 2.9% over last year. AAA officials expect this to be the second-highest number of thanksgiving travelers recorded since they organization began tracking numbers in 2000. The record was set in 2005
AAA texas vice president Kent Livesay says “more than four million Texans are starting the holiday season off right with a thanksgiving getaway.” The predicted 49.3 million Americans traveling by automobile should expect major delays throughout the week. The peak of traffic congestion will be on Wednesday, with trips taking as much four times longer as commuters mix with holiday travelers. The five-day Thanksgiving holiday travel period begins on Wednesday, November 26th and runs through Sunday, December 1st.
Near-record holiday travelers are expected to jam Texas highways. To listen to WBAP/KLIF correspondent Mike Traina’s report, listen below.
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