That’s up from last year.
Towson, Md (KM) Marylanders will be traveling in large numbers during the upcoming Thanksgiving Day Holiday Weekend which is defined as between Wednesday, November 21st, and Sunday, November 25th. . AAA Mid-Atlantic says 1.1-million will be heading out to see family and friends during the four-day weekend. That’s a 4.6% increase from last year, and the 4th consecutive year that the travel volume for this time of year has exceeded 1-million people. It also represents the highest travel volume since 2005, according to AAA.
“We continue to see the economy grow. We’re seeing higher wages, higher disposable income, higher household wealth,” says Christine Delise, spokeswoman for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “So many Marylanders are feeling enough confidence to not hold back on spending. They re opening up their wallets and spending on travel.”
Nationally AAA says 54.3-million Americans will be traveling 50 miles or more from their homes during the Thanksgiving Holiday period.
Delise says 91% of Marylanders will be traveling by car. She says gasoline prices have been dropping for the past few months, which should be good news for drivers. “Prices statewide on average are around 31-cents per gallon cheaper than this time last month,” she says.
In Maryland, the average price this week is $2.49 per gallon, a drop of seven cents from last week, and 31-cents from last month. Locally, the average price in Frederick is $2.50 per gallon, a decrease of seven-cents from a week ago, and a drop for 30-cents form a month ago..
In addition, the auto club says, if you’re traveling by car, leave for your destination a little earlier or a little later than usual. “We encourage motorists to get on the road early in the morning if they can avoid traveling the Wednesday prior to the holiday to avoid a lot of traffic congestion,” says Delise.
AAA says 82,100 Marylanders will be traveling by air which 7% of those who are heading out this weekend. “If you flying domestically, we recommend arriving at least two hours ahead of time; if you’re traveling internationally, three hours prior. And check ahead of time if any flights are delayed,” says Delise.
Also, check the Transportation Security Administration’s website to see what you can bring aboard an airplane. (www.tsa.gov)
By Kevin McManus