Augusta, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – While Thanksgiving travel nationally is expected to be slightly below pre-pandemic levels, that may not be the case in the Peach State.
AAA expects more than 1.6 million Georgians to travel 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving. That would be the most since 2005 and 26,000 more than last year.
Nationally, 54.6 million people are expected to travel.
Despite high gas prices, 89% of all Thanksgiving commuters will drive.
In Georgia, 1.5 million people will take the road trip, an increase of 14,000 over last year. Meanwhile, 114,307 Georgians are expected to fly, and 26,694 are expected to take some other form of transportation.
Pump prices have been fluctuating this month and could be a record high for the holidays. GasBuddy expects the national average to be $3.68 a gallon on Thanksgiving. Earlier it was $3.44 in 2012.
Georgia also had the highest daily average price for Thanksgiving in 2012, at $3.28 a gallon. On Tuesday, drivers paid an average of $3.16 per gallon, or 6 cents less than Georgia drivers paid last Thanksgiving.
The average Tuesday in Augusta is $3.12.
“High gas prices don’t seem to be enough to stop people from traveling with family and friends,” said AAA’s Georgia spokesman Montrae Waiters. “We’ve found that when gas prices are high, travelers are looking to offset the extra cost by spending less on hotels, shopping or dining.”
The busiest travel times are expected to be between 11 am and 2 pm on November 23
Despite the increase in travel, 73% of respondents to the website’s survey said they would not cross state lines.
If you’re flying, you should check-in online in advance, track your flight status using your air carrier’s mobile app, arrive two to three hours before departure, and pack medicine and extra clothing in your carry-on bag, AAA says. . .
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