AAA Chicago Expects Thanksgiving Travel to Rise

AURORA, Ill., Nov. 19, 2003 -- Americans are expected to travel in increased numbers this Thanksgiving holiday, AAA Chicago says.

The club estimates that 36 million Americans will take a trip 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving, which is 2.4 percent higher than the 35.2 million who traveled last year.

A total of 31.1 million people plan to travel by motor vehicle, a nearly 2.5 percent increase from a year ago when 30.3 million traveled by car. Thanksgiving day is the busiest auto travel day. Air travel is expected to climb 1 percent as 4.6 million Americans plan to fly this holiday. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after are the busiest days for air travel.

"The travel season finished strong this summer and is expected to continue through the Thanksgiving holiday," said AAA Chicago spokesman Steve Nolan. "Travelers should plan ahead for busy roadways and airports as well as tight security."

The greatest number of Thanksgiving auto travelers will originate in the Southeast with 8.8 million, followed by the West with 6.9 million; Midwest, 6.8 million; Great Lakes, 6.3 million; and Northeast, 2.3 million.

AAA Chicago offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG clubs belong to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization, with more than 46 million members in the United States and Canada.