Texans expected to travel in record-breaking numbers this Thanksgiving

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – This year, Thanksgiving travel volume is predicted to increase by about 2% compared to last year, according to AAA. Texans play a role in that increase with nearly 6 million traveling 50 miles or more over the holiday travel period.

“Travel volumes for major holidays have been consistently surpassing pre-pandemic levels,” said AAA Texas Spokesperson Daniel Armbruster.

About 90% of the traveling Texans will do so by car, and with more cars on the road, Armbruster said to expect traffic and get your car checked by a mechanic before starting your trip.

“You want to try to avoid Wednesday evening in major metro areas if you can,” he said, but it’s not just the travel to that could cause problems. “Coming back Sunday is going to be busy, especially Sunday afternoon. If you’re leaving Sunday, try to leave Sunday morning, and Monday will also be very busy, because you’re going to have holiday commuters mixed in with regular commuters.”

AAA Texas expects to respond to more than 29,000 calls for roadside assistance between Tuesday and Monday.

Some of the reasons more people are on the move include increased consumer confidence in traveling as well as lower gas prices.

The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Texas is $2.62 as of Wednesday. In Smith County, it’s $2.57, in Gregg, $2.95, in Nacogdoches County $2.67, and in Angelina $2.64.

Around 315,000 Texans are expected to fly for Thanksgiving travel, dozens of them arriving at and departing from the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport Wednesday morning.

“First time flying into to Tyler, so ya, flying in today, and then I’ll leave on Monday,” said one traveler coming from El Paso.

“I’m just coming back,” said another who goes to school in Tyler. “I’m just here. I’ve got friends, friends are inviting me to their Thanksgiving, so I’m excited. Hopefully they’ll have some good food,” she said.

Nationally, AAA predicts about 80 million Americans will travel for the holiday. The travel period started Tuesday and will end Monday.

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