WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsAAA: Thanksgiving travel in Wisconsin to rise

AAA: Thanksgiving travel in Wisconsin to rise

MADISON (WKOW) -- Expect busier roads and airports this holiday season: travel firm AAA predicts more Americans will travel for Thanksgiving this year, a 1.4 percent increase from 2008.

An estimated 38.4 million people will take to the roads or the skies, up from 37.8 million last year.

In Wisconsin, 778,000 people will likely travel 50 miles or more from home, up 3 percent from 2008.

AAA estimates 2.1 percent more people will get behind the wheel, despite a much higher national average for the cost of gasoline. In Wisconsin, prices are averaging around $2.61, up nearly $0.55 from last year.

At the same time, 6.7 percent fewer will travel by air.

Travel experts point to improved consumer confidence compared with last fall.

“Although far too many Americans remain unemployed or under other financial stress, AAA’s projected increase in Thanksgiving travel from one year ago is another hopeful sign that economic conditions are stabilizing and improving in some areas. We can also be thankful the gradual recovery we have been seeing in the U.S. travel industry since the start of the summer is continuing,” says Tom Frymark, AAA Wisconsin regional president.