AAA Texas projects a record-breaking 5.7 million Texans to travel over Thanksgiving, reflecting increased consumer confidence and surpassing pre-pandemic travel figures.
As Thanksgiving comes, Texans are getting ready for a record-breaking holiday travel season. According to AAA Texas, 5.7 million Texans will be traveling 50 miles or more from home this year. This is a 1.3% rise from last year and a 2.4% rise from the numbers before the pandemic in 2019, which shows that consumers are feeling more confident and that travel is picking up again.
A lot of people will be traveling by car over the holidays; about 5.3 million Texans will be taking to the roads. About 315,000 people will choose to fly, and another 129,000 will use public transportation like buses and trains. Vibrant towns like San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Dallas are some of the best places to visit in the state. The Hill Country is also a popular place to get away.
Some leaving from Texas are going to the Caribbean, which is still the most popular place to go on a ship. Orlando is the most popular place to fly within the United States, and Rome is the most popular place to fly between countries.
AAA Texas says that the lowest average gas price since November 2020, at about $2.65 per gallon, is helping to fuel this travel boom. The numbers for the rest of the country are similar to those for Texas. AAA predicts that 79.86 million people will move across the U.S. in 2024, up from 78.1 million in 2023.
"This year's steady rise in holiday travel shows that families want to get together and see new places," said Galen Grillo, Vice President and General Manager of AAA Texas.
