AURORA, Ill. -- About 37 million Americans plan to travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving, a 3 percent increase from 2003, the AAA Chicago Motor Club said.
Nearly 31 million people will travel by car, 9 percent more than last year, putting Thanksgiving holiday travel levels above the number before the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks for the first time.
The average cost of a gallon of self-serve unleaded gasoline nationally was $1.95 compared to $1.50 a gallon last Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
About 5 million holiday travelers plan to fly despite a 3 percent increase in airfares over the past year.
"More Americans will travel this Thanksgiving due to increased confidence in airline security and the economy in general," said AAA spokeswoman Kris Lathan. "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."
