Record number of travelers expected over Thanksgiving

PHILADELPHIA >> If you are going “over the river and through the woods” for your Thanksgiving holiday, you will have plenty of company.

AAA Mid-Atlantic is estimating a record number of people will be traveling during the holiday — both nationally and across the Philadelphia five-county region. In fact, AAA projects the highest number of travelers for the holiday period — defined as Wednesday, Nov. 21, to Sunday, Nov. 25 — since 2005.

AAA predicts 54.3 million people will travel nationally, an increase of 4.8 percent over last year.

“It represents the tenth consecutive year for Thanksgiving travel growth,” said Kathleen Zinszer, AAA spokeswoman.

Regionally, the expectations mirror the national numbers. AAA expects 650,000 Philadelphia area residents will travel 50 miles or more away from home for the holiday — a 5 percent increase over 2017.

“Consumers have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season: higher wages, more disposable income and rising levels of household wealth,” Bill Sutherland, AAA Travel senior vice president, said in a press release. “This is translating into more travelers kicking off the holiday season with a Thanksgiving getaway, building on a positive year for the travel industry.”

AAA estimates 2.5 million more people will take to the nation’s roads, skies, rails and waterways compared with last year.

The largest number of travelers, according to Zinszer — 89 percent — will travel by car. An estimated 572,578 from across the five-county Philadelphia region will take to the roads, according to data supplied by AAA. That’s an increase of about 5.1 percent over 2017.

“If you’re hitting the road during the travel holiday you will definitely have company. Pack what you need and also pack your patience,” Zinszer added.

Another 9 percent will travel by plane, with the remainder expected to travel by train, bus and cruise ships, according to Zinszer. AAA said an estimated 57,670 from across the fivecounty Philadelphia region will fly — an increase of about 5.6 percent over 2017.

In addition to sheer volume, AAA says travelers can expect to experience travel delays. AAA

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“If you’re hitting the road during the travel holiday you will definitely have company. Pack what you need and also pack your patience.” — Kathleen Zinszer, AAA spokeswoman