Thanksgiving Travel: Americans Preparing for Busy Holiday Trips

Photo Credit: TripAdvisor.com

In less than one week, travelers will be packing up the cars, turkeys and suitcases on the way to “grandma’s house” for a Thanksgiving holiday. Or perhaps a travel destination this holiday might be to the beach or a shopping mall. TripAdvisor® and AAA have announced the results of its Thanksgiving travel survey and forecasts and each have a slightly different ending.

Despite a continued downturn in the U.S. economy, 37 percent of Americans plan to travel this Thanksgiving, equal to 37 percent one year ago, according to TripAdvisor survey results. Other findings include that 57 percent of respondents plan to drive to their destination this Thanksgiving, down slightly from 59 percent, last year, while 38 percent intend to fly, up marginally from 37 percent, one year ago.

“We continue to see that Thanksgiving is a dedicated travel holiday among our respondents, regardless of circumstance,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor.

According to a released report by AAA, approximately 41 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a decrease of 600,000 travelers (1.4 percent) from last year’s total of 41.6 million. This is the first decline in Thanksgiving holiday travel since 2002 and is the fourth consecutive travel holiday this year with a year-to-year decline in the number of travelers.

Travelers are weighing spending money on holiday trips or conserving cash on other life needs. Even with the Dow dropping below 8000 on November 20, 2008, the continuing decrease in petroleum is contributing toward predicted decreases this holiday season from being worse.

“The overall state of the economy continues to present real challenges for some Americans looking to travel this Thanksgiving,” said AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet. “However, the desire to spend time with family, combined with significantly lower gasoline prices than earlier this year, will provide a strong impetus for many Americans to travel this holiday season.”

AAA reports the national average for self-serve regular gasoline is $2.07 per gallon. Today’s price is 88 cents less than a month ago and $1.03 less than a year ago.

Thanksgiving travel TripAdvisor survey results include:

Family Matters

Seventy-seven percent will see family and friends for the holiday. Seven percent said they are traveling specifically to avoid family and friends. Thirty percent of respondents said they feel pressure to travel and spend Thanksgiving with family.

Fifty-five percent said seeing family and friends makes Thanksgiving travel worth all the hassle, while 25 percent said just getting away makes it worth it.

Cash Considerations

Seventy-six percent of travelers said economic and market concerns have not affected their Thanksgiving plans. If money was no object, 30 percent said their dream Thanksgiving would be exploring an exotic tropical destination, while the greatest amount, 31 percent said their idea of a dream Thanksgiving is right at home with family and friends.

Time and Distance

Twenty-eight percent will travel to their destination on Thanksgiving Day, and 28 percent will travel the day before on Wednesday, November 26. Twenty-seven percent will travel home on Sunday, November 30. Thirteen percent will travel home on Thanksgiving Day.

Fifteen percent will travel less than 100 miles from home for Thanksgiving, and 36 percent will travel less than 300 miles. Nine percent said they will be traveling overseas this Thanksgiving. Fifteen percent of respondents said they will be traveling outside the U.S. for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thirty-six percent will visit a city this Thanksgiving, 33 percent will go to the suburbs for the holiday and 15 percent will be going to a beach.

Thanksgiving Love and Hate

Thirty-four percent said they love everything about Thanksgiving. Ten percent cited flight delays as the most annoying aspect of Thanksgiving, 10 percent said getting stuck in traffic and 10 percent said they always eat too much.

Are you traveling this Thanksgiving holiday? If so, where and how far?