Thanksgiving Travel Outlook

ALTOOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - One of the busiest travel periods of the year is underway.  Travel experts say the number of American hitting the highway is up again this year.  Travel analysts say as you head out on your holiday trips, expect to have lots of company.
     
No matter how you plan to get to your Thanksgiving destination, millions of people will be out there traveling at the same time.   More Americans are hitting the road this Thanksgiving.  The Automobile Association of America estimates that 43.6 million people will be on the move this Thanksgiving this year and will be traveling 50 miles or more  to get to their holiday destination.
      
Roughly 90 percent of those who are traveling are expected to make their trips by car.   While most of the travel will take place on the highways, airport and rail lines also report a significant bump up in pre-Thanksgiving business.
  
Spending on travel is also going up with year. Higher prices for gas, airline fares and hotel stays are all contributing to an expected 7 % increase in holiday travel spending.  The head of AAA says the travel industry seems to be picking up at this time of year because gathering with family is more important to some people than saving money.
  
Analysts say this will be the fourth year in a row that the number of people traveling is up.  Because of the extra congestion that is expected on area highways, travel experts say motorists should give themselves plenty of extra time to reach their holiday destinations.