by Donald Wood
Last updated: 1:00 AM ET, Thu November 16, 2017
A new study from AAA projects an astounding 50.9 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more away from home this Thanksgiving, a 3.3 percent increase from 2016.
With almost 51 million travelers expected to hit the roads, skies, rails and waterways, the 2017 holiday weekend is shaping up to see the highest Thanksgiving travel volume since 2005, an increase of 1.6 million people from last year.
AAA revealed 89 percent of all travelers, a total of 45.5 million people, are planning a Thanksgiving road trip this year, an increase of 3.2 percent over 2016. The jump in holiday driving comes despite the highest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2014.
Other modes of transportation are also growing, with 3.95 million travelers expected to fly and another 1.48 million people taking buses and cruises. For travelers renting a car, daily rates will hit a five-year holiday high at $70 a day, a 34 percent increase from last year.
"Thanksgiving kicks off the start of a busy holiday season, and more thankful Americans will travel to spend time with friends and family this year," AAA senior vice president Bill Sutherland said in a statement. "A strong economy and labor market are generating rising incomes and higher consumer confidence, fueling a strong year for the travel industry, which will continue into the holiday season."
The study also found that rates for AAA Three Diamond Rated hotels increased by 14 percent to $176 a night, but rates for AAA Two Diamond Rated hotels decreased five percent to $117.
In addition to the travel data, AAA broke down the top 10 Thanksgiving destinations for 2017, including Orlando, Anaheim, New York City, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Punta Cana, Cancun, San Francisco and more.
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