**PRESS RELEASE - AAA** A sluggish economy and concerns about disposable income have put a slight damper on Thanksgiving travel this year for many California families, according to the latest travel survey from AAA.
AAA Northern California’s travel forecast predicts that more than 5.1 million Californians plan to travel 50 miles or more this extended, four-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This represents a modest decrease of -0.04 percent when compared to last year’s figures.
“Californians will set aside thoughts of fiscal uncertainty to gather and feast with people who matter most in their lives,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “While travel projections are lower than last Thanksgiving in 2012, this year’s travel forecast is still well above the 2008-2009 levels when the recession caused a drop in travel of more than 25 percent.”
According to AAA, more than 4.4 million Californians are projected to travel by motor vehicle during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This represents a - 4.6 percent decrease when compared to last year’s figures. AAA projects that more than 500,000 holiday travelers will fly, which is a decrease of -4.9 percent when compared to 2012. Approximately 193,000 state residents are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, such as boats or trains. This represents an increase of 1.8 percent when compared to last year’s figures.
Nationally, AAA forecasts that more than 43 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the four-day weekend. This represents a -1.5 percent decrease compared to last year’s travel statistics.
An average West Coast family of four is projected to spend an average of $681 over the holiday weekend. Families who travel by car are likely to drive an average of 795 miles over the four-day holiday weekend. AAA’s Leisure Travel Index reveals that prices at AAA Three Diamond lodgings are down about one percent from a year ago, with an average price of $143 per night. AAA Two Diamond lodgings are expected to be one percent higher, with an average room costing $104 per night.
This Thanksgiving weekend, those traveling by air will find airfares comparable to last year, according to the AAA Leisure Travel Index. The average lowest round-trip price is projected to be $187 for the top 40 U.S. air routes. Car rental rates will average $50 for the holiday weekend, compared to $47 last year. For West Coast families, the expected primary activities this holiday weekend will be shopping and visiting family and friends, followed by dining and touring/sightseeing.
Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for automobile travel. Motorists should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. AAA reminds motorists to be cautious while driving in adverse weather.
AAA Tips for Long-Distance Winter Trips
· Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
· Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition by having it inspected by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility.
· Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
· Pack a cell phone programmed with your local AAA's telephone number along with your AAA card, plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.
· If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don't try to walk in a severe storm. It's easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
· Don't over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
· Make sure the exhaust pipe isn't clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
· Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.
AAA Money Saving Tips for Thanksgiving Air Travelers
· Book your flight any day except a Tuesday or Sunday. This will save you up to $170 on average. Tuesday before Thanksgiving is the most popular day to fly and the airlines know it.
· Travel on Thanksgiving Day and return the following Tuesday for the cheapest fares.
· Plan ahead. The longer you wait, the higher the price as flights become booked. Surcharges increase from $10 to $30 dollars extra on peak travel days.
· Grab the deal. Don’t wait before others start booking flights and airlines shift their pricing to match booking trends.
AAA Northern California’s travel forecast predicts that more than 5.1 million Californians plan to travel 50 miles or more this extended, four-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This represents a modest decrease of -0.04 percent when compared to last year’s figures.
“Californians will set aside thoughts of fiscal uncertainty to gather and feast with people who matter most in their lives,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “While travel projections are lower than last Thanksgiving in 2012, this year’s travel forecast is still well above the 2008-2009 levels when the recession caused a drop in travel of more than 25 percent.”
According to AAA, more than 4.4 million Californians are projected to travel by motor vehicle during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This represents a - 4.6 percent decrease when compared to last year’s figures. AAA projects that more than 500,000 holiday travelers will fly, which is a decrease of -4.9 percent when compared to 2012. Approximately 193,000 state residents are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, such as boats or trains. This represents an increase of 1.8 percent when compared to last year’s figures.
Nationally, AAA forecasts that more than 43 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the four-day weekend. This represents a -1.5 percent decrease compared to last year’s travel statistics.
An average West Coast family of four is projected to spend an average of $681 over the holiday weekend. Families who travel by car are likely to drive an average of 795 miles over the four-day holiday weekend. AAA’s Leisure Travel Index reveals that prices at AAA Three Diamond lodgings are down about one percent from a year ago, with an average price of $143 per night. AAA Two Diamond lodgings are expected to be one percent higher, with an average room costing $104 per night.
This Thanksgiving weekend, those traveling by air will find airfares comparable to last year, according to the AAA Leisure Travel Index. The average lowest round-trip price is projected to be $187 for the top 40 U.S. air routes. Car rental rates will average $50 for the holiday weekend, compared to $47 last year. For West Coast families, the expected primary activities this holiday weekend will be shopping and visiting family and friends, followed by dining and touring/sightseeing.
Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for automobile travel. Motorists should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. AAA reminds motorists to be cautious while driving in adverse weather.
AAA Tips for Long-Distance Winter Trips
· Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
· Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition by having it inspected by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility.
· Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
· Pack a cell phone programmed with your local AAA's telephone number along with your AAA card, plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.
· If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don't try to walk in a severe storm. It's easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
· Don't over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
· Make sure the exhaust pipe isn't clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
· Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.
AAA Money Saving Tips for Thanksgiving Air Travelers
· Book your flight any day except a Tuesday or Sunday. This will save you up to $170 on average. Tuesday before Thanksgiving is the most popular day to fly and the airlines know it.
· Travel on Thanksgiving Day and return the following Tuesday for the cheapest fares.
· Plan ahead. The longer you wait, the higher the price as flights become booked. Surcharges increase from $10 to $30 dollars extra on peak travel days.
· Grab the deal. Don’t wait before others start booking flights and airlines shift their pricing to match booking trends.