Vacation Real Estate News
80 Million Americans to Hit the Road, Skies and Seas for 2024 Thanksgiving Holiday
Top 3 Thanksgiving travel destinations of 2024 are in Florida
AAA estimates that 79.9 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday period. For the first time, the forecast includes the Tuesday before and the Monday after Thanksgiving Day, offering a more comprehensive view of holiday travel patterns. This year's projection represents an increase of 1.7 million travelers compared to last year and 2 million more than in 2019.
"Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year we're expecting to set new records across the board, from driving to flying and cruising," said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. "Americans reconnect with family and friends over Thanksgiving, and travel is a big part of that. AAA continues to see travel demand soar post-pandemic with our members looking for new adventures and memorable vacations."
Travel by Car
A record 71.7 million Americans are expected to drive to their Thanksgiving destinations this year, up by 1.3 million from 2022. This figure also surpasses pre-pandemic levels, as 70.6 million travelers drove during Thanksgiving in 2019.
Drivers will benefit from lower gas prices compared to last year. The national average gas price on Thanksgiving Day 2022 was $3.26 per gallon. Thanks to declining oil prices, the national average may drop below $3 per gallon for the first time since 2021. In parts of the country, particularly east of the Rockies, gas prices range from $2.25 to $2.50 per gallon in over a dozen states.
Travel by Air
Air travel this Thanksgiving is set to break records, with 5.84 million passengers expected to fly domestically. This marks a 2% increase from last year and an 11% rise compared to 2019. AAA booking data shows domestic airfare costs are up 3% this year, although the volume of bookings remains consistent with last year. Meanwhile, international flights are seeing a 23% surge in bookings, spurred in part by a 5% drop in international airfare.
Other Modes of Travel
Around 2.3 million travelers will opt for other transportation methods such as buses, trains, and cruises, marking a nearly 9% increase over 2022 and an 18% jump from 2019. The cruise industry, in particular, is experiencing a surge in demand post-pandemic, with domestic and international cruise bookings up 20% compared to last Thanksgiving.
This holiday season, travel is poised to reach new heights across all modes, signaling a strong rebound in holiday mobility.
Top Destinations
Warm weather is the common thread among the top 10 domestic travel destinations this Thanksgiving. Florida stands out with four cities making the list, celebrated for their beaches, theme parks, and cruise ports. Other popular spots include New York, California, Hawaii, and Las Vegas. On the international front, Europe and the Caribbean lead the way, offering beach resorts, iconic tourist attractions, and river cruises. The top Thanksgiving travel destinations below are based on AAA booking data spanning Tuesday, November 26, through Monday, December 2, 2024.
