According to AAA, more than 1.1 million Wisconsinites are projected to travel 50 miles or more during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period between Nov. 22–25, Insight reports. The forecast for this year is the third-highest on record with 25,672 more holiday travelers than last year.
The majority of Thanksgiving travelers will drive to their destinations. AAA expects over 961,000 Wisconsin residents to take a road trip of 50 miles or more — roughly 14,000 more drivers than last year. The busiest driving day is expected to be Nov. 22. Those road trips should also be less costly, with Wisconsin’s average November gas prices around $3.14 per gallon this November as opposed to $3.23 in November 2022.
AAA predicts over 113,515 Wisconsinites to fly for Thanksgiving, over 8,700 more than in 2022. Air travel could be impacted if the U.S. Congress fails to pass a spending bill by Nov. 18, as a government shutdown would result in federal employees — including air traffic controllers and TSA staff — having to work without pay. The Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving are the busiest and most expensive air travel days ahead of the holiday; the Sunday after is the busiest day to return home but is closely followed by Monday.
The number of Wisconsin residents traveling by cruise, bus, and train over the holiday is expected to increase 11% over last year, with nearly 30,000 travelers projected to use these modes of transportation.
