AAA: Thanksgiving travel expected to hit highest level since recession

By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ, AP Airlines Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- Travel tracker AAA says 42.5 million plan to hit the road in the United States to visit family and friends this Thanksgiving -- the highest number since the start of the recession.

AAA says that 4 percent more Americans than last year will journey at least 50 miles from home, with about 90 percent of them driving. Another 8 percent plan to fly, but AAA notes that higher airfares and less available seats have forced many would-be fliers to drive instead. The remaining travelers plan to take buses, trains or other forms of transport.

Those driving will also spend more. AAA, Wright Express and Oil Price Information Service say the average price of a gallon of gas so far this November is $3.42, up nearly 20 percent from last year's $2.86.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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