AAA Tennessee: More Than 1.24 Million Tennesseans to Travel this Thanksgiving
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NEWS RELEASE CONTACT: Stephanie Milani, Tennessee Public Affairs Director, Megan Cooper, Tennessee Public Affairs Specialist, |
AAA: More Than 1.24 Million Tennesseans to Travel this Thanksgiving, 54 Million Nationwide
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 8, 2018) – AAA projects 54.3 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more away from home this Thanksgiving, a 4.8 percent increase over last year. The 2018 holiday weekend will see the highest Thanksgiving travel volume in more than a dozen years (since 2005), with 2.5 million. The vast majority of travelers, 48.5 million, are planning a road trip for the holiday.
"Consumers are traveling more due to higher wages, more disposable income, rising levels of household wealth and recently declining gas prices," said Stephanie Milani, Tennessee Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group. "Gas prices have been steadily declining in recent weeks and if oil prices remain low, travelers could see even lower prices as we move into the holiday travel season."
The Thanksgiving holiday period is defined as Wednesday, November 21 to Sunday, November 25.
By the Numbers: 2018 Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Forecast
- Total Travelers: This Thanksgiving will see the most travelers since 2005.
- Total: 54 million travelers (increase of 4.8% compared to 2017)
- Tennessee:1.2 million travelers (increase of 5.1% compared to 2017)
- Automobiles: The vast majority of travelers will hit the road this Thanksgiving.
- Total: 48.5 million travelers (4.8% increase over 2017)
- Tennessee: 1.18 million travelers (5.1% increase over 2017)
- Planes: The largest growth in holiday travel is by air.
- Total: 4.27 million passengers (5.4% increase over last year)
- Tennessee: 39,000 passengers (4.9% increase over last year)
- Trains, Buses and Cruise Ships:
- Total: 1.48 million passengers (increase of 1.4% compared to 2017)
- Tennessee: 14,000 passengers (increase of 0.2% compared to 2017)
AAA to Rescue Nearly 360,000 Motorists
AAA expects to rescue nearly 360,000 motorists at the roadside this Thanksgiving. Dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires will be the leading reasons AAA members will experience car trouble. AAA recommends motorists take their vehicle to a trusted repair facility to perform any needed maintenance before heading out. Oil changes, fluid level checks, battery tests and tire inspections go a long way toward reducing the chances of a breakdown.
Download the AAA Mobile App Before Thanksgiving
Before heading out on a trip for Thanksgiving, download the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Travelers can use the app to map a route, find the lowest gas prices, access exclusive member discounts, make travel arrangements, request AAA roadside assistance, find AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities and more. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.
With the AAA Mobile app, travelers can also find nearly 59,000 AAA Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants. AAA's is the only rating system that uses full-time, professionally trained inspectors to evaluate each property on an annual basis. Every AAA Inspected & Approved establishment offers the assurance of acceptable cleanliness, comfort and hospitality, and ratings of One to Five Diamonds help travelers find the right match for amenities and services.
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 Markit 2018 Thanksgiving holiday travel forecast is available here.
About The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America. ACG and its affiliates provide membership, insurance, financial services and travel offerings to over 9.6 million members across eleven states and two U.S. territories including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; most of Illinois and Minnesota; and a portion of Indiana. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 59 million members in the United States and Canada and whose mission includes protecting and advancing freedom of mobility and improving traffic safety. Motorists can map a route, identify gas prices, find discounts, book a hotel, and access AAA roadside assistance with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile. Visit AAA on the Internet at AAA.com.