Thanksgiving travel is expected to be robust, despite any possible disruptions that may occur if the federal government shuts down later this week.
Holiday travel is expected to be the third-busiest period since the AAA started tracking it in 2000, with an estimated 55.4 million people planning to go 50 miles or more from home.
The number of projected travelers would be 2.3% higher than last year and just below 2019 levels, AAA said. Most people plan to drive, but 4.7 million people plan to fly, up 6.6% from last year and the highest number since 2005.
The projected 1.55 million people taking cruises, buses or trains would be up nearly 11% from last year, and Thanksgiving cruises are mostly sold out, AAA said. Domestic cruise prices are averaging $1,507, down 12% from 2022.
Average domestic airfare is up 5% from last year, while fares on international flights are down 5.7%. The average price for a domestic hotel room stay is $598, down 12%, and the average price of a domestic car rental is down 20%.
A potential federal government shutdown could force air-traffic controllers and Transportation Safety Administration employees to work without pay during one of the busiest travel weekends for air travel, potentially adding to airport congestion and security checkpoint delays.
Write to Janet H. Cho at [email protected]
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