Thanksgiving travel numbers expected to be the highest since 2005
Mark Hofmann/For the Observer-Reporter
The Gulf gas station along Route 51 in Star Junction was selling regular gasoline at $2.79 per gallon Monday, which is 10 cents lower than the regional average.
MetroCreative
Experts predict more than 54.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more this Thanksgiving.
MetroCreative
Experts predict more than 54.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more this Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is already one of the most-traveled holidays, but experts expect 2018 will produce the most travelers since 2005.
An estimated 54.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more between Wednesday and Sunday, according to AAA.
“More people are taking advantage of the strong economy, rising income, rising household wealth,” said Jim Garrity, spokesman for AAA East Central. “They’re taking advantage of that to go and make those new memories with their family and friends. That’s very exciting for us to see.”
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission predicts 3.7 million of those will be using the state highway between Tuesday and Sunday. To accommodate those out on the road, all lanes in each direction on the Turnpike will be open and any scheduled maintenance or construction projects will be suspended, officials said.
“Even though Pennsylvania has already experienced its first winter storm, it’s Thanksgiving that marks the official beginning of the winter holiday travel season,” said Mark Compton, PTC chief executive officer. “As we have already seen this week, hazardous and changing weather conditions can lead to a spike in auto accidents. When you factor in the additional traffic on the roadways during the week ahead, the risk is even higher. Driving safely and having a well-maintained vehicle is more important than ever this time of year.”
One of the reasons for more travelers on the road may be the continued decline in gas prices.
According to Gasbuddy.com, the average price of gas in the Pittsburgh region as of Monday was $2.88 per gallon for regular fuel. That’s a reduction of seven cents from last week’s average, and down 22 cents from last month’s average of $3.11 per gallon.
Locally, as of Monday, gas prices ranged from $2.81 to $2.97 per gallon in Uniontown, $2.85 to $3.05 per gallon in Rostraver Township, $2.79 to $2.89 per gallon in Perryopolis, $2.85 to $2.93 per gallon in Canonsburg and $2.78 to $2.79 per gallon in Waynesburg.
Compton said the busiest travel times on the Turnpike will be Tuesday and Wednesday, when 750,000 motorists are expected to hit the road.
Officials said the busiest travel times will be Tuesday from 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 8 p.m.
Garrity said the 4.8 percent increase in travelers across the country will put 2.5 million people out and about for Thanksgiving via planes, trains and automobiles.
In the Mid-Atlantic region that includes Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, AAA expects Thanksgiving holiday travelers to total 6.5 million, a 5 percent increase from last year.
An estimated 5.8 million will travel by automobile and 574,000 people will fly – both increases of more than 5 percent. Rail travel has also seen a bump, prompting Amtrak to require reservations this week for its Keystone Service for New York, Philadelphia and Harrisburg travel.
Last Thanksgiving, Amtrak had its largest passenger count to date with more than 777,000 riders on its trains across the country. The company is expecting similar numbers this year.