More New Jersey Residents Expected to Travel for Thanksgiving

More than one million New Jersey residents are expected to travel this Thanksgiving, which is a 11.2 percent increase from a year ago, according to AAA.

The organization's prediction would be the first increase in Thanksgiving holiday travel in New Jersey since 2005, according to a press release. AAA also predicts a 11.4 percent increase in the number of people traveling across the country, which is 42.2 million.

"While people remain cautious with their household budgets and discretionary spending amidst high levels of unemployment, many are in a better financial position this Thanksgiving than a year ago," said Cathleen Lewis, director of public affairs for the Florham Park-based AAA New Jersey Automobile Club, in a press release. "This improvement, along with a strong desire to spend time with friends and family, is expected to propel a significant increase in Thanksgiving travel."

Thanksgiving by the numbers, according to AAA:

Automobile

• New Jersey—967,585 (94 percent of all travelers), an increase of 11.8 percent from 2009.
• Nationally—About 39.7 million (94 percent of all travelers), an increase of 12 percent from the 35.4 million who drove last year.

Air

• New Jersey—47,498 (5 percent of all travelers), an increase of 3.3 percent from those who flew last year.
• Nationally—1.62 million (4 percent of all travelers), an increase of 3.5 percent from 2009.

Train, Bus, Watercraft or Multi-Modal Travel

• New Jersey—14,376 (1 percent of all travelers), a decrease of 0.4% from the 2009 holiday weekend.

• Nationally—Approximate 887,000 (2 percent of all travelers), a decrease of 0.2% from last year.

AAA also states gas prices will be higher for those driving to their destinations this Thanksgiving. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.88, which is $.25 more than the $2.63 average a year ago. New Jersey's gas prices are slightly lower than the national average at $2.84, which is $.33 more than a year ago when a gallon of regular gasoline cost $2.51.

Thanksgiving gas prices, average per gallon, in New Jersey for the past five years:

2010: $2.84 (as of November 19, 2010)
2009: $2.51
2008: $1.78
2007: $2.93
2006: $2.08
2005: $2.05