Thanksgiving travel expected to fall for the first time in six years due to the economic slowdown

[Amerigo Vespucci]

AAA predicts a slight drop in holiday travel

Thanksgiving travel expected to fall for the first time in six years due to the economic slowdown and fewer flights



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27787815/

DALLAS - Travel over the Thanksgiving holiday will drop for the first time in six years due to the economic slowdown and fewer airline flights, AAA forecast on Tuesday.

The travel club says 41 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home. That’s down from 41.6 million last year.

AAA President Robert L. Darbelnet said the economy makes Thanksgiving travel a challenge for some Americans, but they’ll get help from the recent decline in gasoline prices, which have tumbled from their summertime highs.

A gallon of self-serve regular gasoline has fallen 88 cents in the past month, to $2.07 a gallon. A year ago, it cost $3.10 a gallon.

Car rental prices are 4 percent higher than a year ago, but midrange hotel rooms are 10 percent cheaper, according to AAA.

AAA, which said it surveyed 8,500 people, forecast that four-fifths of holiday travelers, or 33.2 million, will go by car. That would be a 1.2 percent decline from last Thanksgiving.

[Habibi]

1. God, would I love to celebrate in my own home this year.

But no. Must make the trek to the in-laws. No matter what. At least it's only 80 miles away. People who must fly are screwed (unless they *like* traveling at this time of year, in which case, godspeed!)