BOISE, Idaho — An estimated 314,000 Idahoans are expected to hit the roads (or air) this Thanksgiving travel period, according to AAA Idaho.
AAA estimated that 89 percent of Thanksgiving vacationers will travel by car. However, the noticeable increase is seen in those traveling by plane. AAA predicts 8.5 percent of travelers plan to take flight for the holiday, equating to 4.7 million people, the largest amount of airline travelers since the mid-2000's, AAA said. The overall calculations show an increase of 290,000 travelers from last year.
The Thanksgiving travel window is considered from Wednesday, Nov. 22 to Sunday, Nov. 26. It's during this window that more than 55.4 million Americans plan to travel.
"Thanksgiving happens on a very tight schedule, so many families are choosing a faster mode of transportation to maximize their time together on the ground. But of course, no matter how you travel, large crowds and inclement weather are wild cards that may factor into your experience," said AAA Idaho Public Affairs Director Matthew Conde.
For those driving to their destination, AAA projects that the busiest times on the road will be Tuesday and Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. - similarly, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. AAA advises that the best time to travel each day of the holiday window will be before 11 a.m.
For those who intend to fly, Tuesday will be the busiest day in the airport. AAA explains that airlines have transitioned to larger planes with fewer flights. TSA is also ramping up staffing for the holidays to help alleviate long security lines, AAA said.
Where are these Idahoans going though? According to AAA here's the Top 10 Thanksgiving destinations:
- Anaheim, CA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Las Vegas, NV
- Phoenix, AZ
- Orlando, FL
- Seattle, WA
- Hawaii
- Oregon Coast
- Jackson, WY
- Billings, MT
"Theme parks, warm weather and perhaps a little bit of skiing will be sprinkled into many of the Thanksgiving adventures this year," Conde said. "But with traffic expected to reach pre-pandemic levels of congestion, building some extra time into your travel plans is a smart move."
According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the Gem State is $3.77, which is six cents less than a week ago, 24 cents less than a month ago and 49 cents less than one year ago. AAA said the gas prices will be less of an obstacle for those traveling by vehicle.
The national average price for unleaded gas sits at $3.37 per gallon, which is five cents less than a week ago, 26 cents less than a month ago and 41 cents cheaper than a year ago. As of Monday, Idaho ranked 7th in the country for most expensive fuel.
"Fuel is the price of admission for most road trips, and when pump prices are high, some families are forced to offset that expense with other changes to their travel plans," Conde said. "Hopefully, this year's cheaper prices will allow more people to fill up and hit the road, and maybe even put an extra pie or two on the dining room table."
For those planning to fly, flyers generally pay less for hotels and cars during the holiday travel window, but slightly more on airfare. According to AAA booking data:
- The average price for a domestic flight is $681, up 5% from last year
- The average price for a domestic hotel stay is $598, down 12% from last year
- The average price for a domestic rental car reservation is $590, down 20% from last year
- The average price for a domestic cruise is $1,507, down 15% from last year
- The average price for a domestic tour is $1,058, down 21% from last year
"Travel continues to rebound in a big way. It took roughly ten years to bounce back from the Great Recession, but in about four years, we've just about made it back to pre-pandemic travel volumes," shared Conde. "Thanksgiving is all about family, and even with concerns about the economy and their financial future, people aren't willing to sacrifice time with loved ones."
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