AAA Travel is projecting that 50 million Americans or fewer will travel over the Thanksgiving holiday this year.
AAA said based on mid-October forecast models, it would have expected 50 million to travel from Nov. 25 through Nov. 29, but rising cases of Covid-19 around the country will likely temper that number.
Last year, 55 million traveled during the long holiday weekend. If 50 million did travel this year, it would represent a 10% drop year over year.
"The wait-and-see travel trend continues to impact final travel decisions, especially for the Thanksgiving holiday," Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement. "The decision to travel is a personal one. For those who are considering making a trip, the majority will go by car, which provides the flexibility to modify holiday travel plans up until the day of departure."
AAA forecasts some 47.8 million travelers will travel by car this year, down 4.3% from last year. Roughly 2.4 million are expected to travel by air, down 47.5% from last year's 4.6 million air travelers. Only 353,000 travelers are expected to use other modes of transportation like trains, buses and cruises, down 76% year over year.
Those who do drive will enjoy lower gas prices, down nationally an average of 50 cents compared with this time last year. October's average gas prices, AAA said, were the lowest they've been in more than 15 years.