As California gas prices rise, here’s what you can expect for Thanksgiving week travel
As California average gas prices hit record highs, Thanksgiving travel is expected to surpass last year — bringing it within 5% of pre-pandemic levels.
Roughly 53.4 million people in the U.S. are predicted to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday, up 13% from 2020 — marking the highest single-year increase in Thanksgiving travelers since 2005 — according to the American Automobile Association.
Of the more than 53 million people expected to travel within the next week, 90% are predicted to travel by car, an 8% increase since last year, according to the AAA travel report.
In California, about 7.1 million people are expected to travel — a 14% increase over last year — but still slightly below Thanksgiving 2019.
And roughly 6.1 million of those travelers are predicted to drive, according to a Southern California AAA news release.
But California’s average gas pump price hit another record Monday and Sacramento’s price is even higher.
The average price for regular gas in California was $4.68 as of Monday — about a 6-cent increase from Tuesday of last week to Monday of this week — and the state’s highest record average price, according to data from AAA.
California also ranked No. 2 among the 10 U.S. states with the largest weekly pump price increase and No. 1 among the nation’s 10 most expensive markets, according to a AAA gas price report.
People should prepare for heavier than normal road congestion in major metro areas beginning Wednesday, Nov. 24, during the mid-to-late afternoon. Drivers should consider leaving for travel destinations after 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24, or before 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
But before any long trip, get an inspection to check key components like the battery, fuel system, tires, brakes and fluid levels.
About 4.2 million people in the U.S. will fly, up 80% compared to last year — about 800,000 of those will be Californians.
Airline travelers should expect longer check-in lines and extra time for security checks. Tuesday, Nov. 23, is expected to be the most expensive and heaviest travel day for airline passengers, with Monday, Nov. 22, being the lightest and least expensive, according to AAA.
And approximately 1 million people will travel by another mode of transportation, roughly 129,000 being Californians.
With the millions of more people traveling this Thanksgiving holiday, coupled with the recent opening of the U.S. borders to fully COVID-19 vaccinated international travelers, people should be prepared for congested airports and roadways.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best way to minimize the spread of COVID-19 during the holidays is to get the vaccine if you’re eligible.
This story was originally published November 16, 2021 at 5:00 AM with the headline "As California gas prices rise, here’s what you can expect for Thanksgiving week travel."