AAA: 48.7 million Americans to travel this Thanksgiving

1 million more travelers than last year will take to the highways, skies and seas

AAA projects 48.7 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving, an increase of 1 million travelers compared with last year. This represents a 1.9 percent increase over 2015, and the most Thanksgiving travelers since 2007. The Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, Nov. 23, to Sunday, Nov. 27.

This year's increase in Thanksgiving travel is spurred by improvements in the economy during the second half of the year, including rising wages, increased consumer spending and overall strength in consumer confidence. And, despite recent incremental increases in the national average price of gasoline, AAA estimates U.S. drivers have saved more than $28 billion so far at the pumps this year compared to the same period last year.

"One million more Americans than last year will carve out time to visit with friends and family this Thanksgiving," AAA Western and Central New York President and CEO Anthony Spada said. "Most will travel on the tried and true holiday road trip. Others will fly, take the bus or set off on a cruise to celebrate with their loved ones."

On a state level, an estimated 3,034,123 million New Yorkers are forecasted to travel 50 miles or more this Thanksgiving, up about 40,000 from 2015. The majority will be driving (2.7 million), while nearly 258,000 will fly and about 78,000 will use other modes of transportation.

Driving remains most popular mode of travel for Thanksgiving: The vast majority - more than 89 percent - of holiday travelers will drive this Thanksgiving. The 43.5 million Americans planning a Thanksgiving road trip represent an increase of 1.9 percent over last year. Air travel is expected to increase 1.6 percent, with 3.69 million Americans flying to their holiday destinations. Travel by other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses, will increase only slightly this Thanksgiving, to 1.44 million travelers.

Thanksgiving gas prices second-cheapest in nearly a decade: Today's national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.17, 12 cents less than the average price on Thanksgiving last year. The state average is $2.39, 4 cents less than last year. Most U.S. drivers will pay the second-cheapest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2008, when the national average was $1.85.

Thanksgiving airfares, hotel rates and car rental prices mixed: According to AAA's Leisure Travel Index, airfares are projected to increase 21 percent this Thanksgiving, landing at an average of $205 for a roundtrip flight for the top 40 domestic routes. Rates for AAA Three Diamond Rated lodgings are expected to remain flat, with travelers spending an average of $155 per night. The average rate for a AAA Two Diamond Rated hotel has risen 4 percent with an average nightly cost of $123. Daily car rental rates will average $52, 13 percent lower than last Thanksgiving.

Many travelers will journey west this Thanksgiving: This year's top destinations for Thanksgiving include many popular West Coast cities, as well as perennial family-friendly favorites. The most popular destinations this Thanksgiving, based on AAA.com bookings, are:

• Las Vegas
• San Francisco
• San Diego
• Orlando
• New York City
• New Orleans
• Anaheim, California
• Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Philadelphia
• Seattle

AAA will rescue thousands of motorists this Thanksgiving: AAA expects to rescue more than 370,000 motorists this Thanksgiving, with the primary reasons being dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts. AAA recommends motorists check the condition of their battery and tires and pack emergency kits in their vehicles before heading out on a holiday getaway. Drivers should have their vehicles inspected by a trusted repair shop, such as one of the nearly 7,000 AAA-approved auto repair facilities across North America. Members can download the AAA mobile app, visit AAA.com or call 1-800-AAA-HELP to request roadside assistance.

The app also can help map a route, find lowest gas prices, access exclusive member discounts and make travel arrangements.

About the Travel Forecast

AAA's projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Markit. The London-based business information provider teamed with AAA in 2009 to jointly analyze travel trends during major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades. The complete AAA/IHS 2016 Thanksgiving holiday travel forecast can be found HERE.