Hartford

Record Number of New Englanders Expected to Drive to Thanksgiving Destination: AAA

A record number of New Englanders are expected to drive to their Thanksgiving destination this year, according to AAA.

AAA projects almost 2.5 million New Englanders will travel for Thanksgiving with more than 2 million hitting the roads. That's a record number of drivers for the Thanksgiving holiday, despite gas prices being the highest they've been since 2014.

“A strong labor market and consumer confidence are both contributing factors to the growing number of travelers and even though the holiday gas prices are higher than they've been in years, it appears drivers are not discouraged in the least," said Amy Parmenter, spokesperson for AAA in greater Hartford.

More than 275,000 New Englanders are expected to fly over the Thanksgiving holiday, which is the most in more than 10 years. AAA said anyone who is flying out of Bradley International Airport should allow extra time to get there, extra time to get through security and to expect delays.

"Confusion over TSA policies, winter clothing that may need to be removed and adults traveling with children tend to slow security, so travelers should expect delays," said Suzanne Aresco, Director of AAA Travel.

AAA said there's a decrease in the number of travelers using trains, buses or other modes of transportation for the holiday.

Nationally, 54 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more for the holiday, according to AAA.

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