Thanksgiving Travel to Increase for First Time Since '07

Holiday travel this Thanksgiving is expected to increase this year for the first time since 2007, according to AAA.

About 42.5 million people in the U.S. are expected to travel for distances of 50 miles or more  this holiday weekend. That is the most since 2007, when 50.6 million people took the roads, and represents a 4 percent increase from last year.

In the Mid-Atlantic Region, which includes New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, travel is expected to increase by 3.5 percent to 4.8 million.

If the projections hold true, this will be the first holiday this year to experience a significant increase in travel.

“Most people are travelling with friends and family,” said Robert Sinclair, a spokesman for AAA New York. “Thirty-three percent of the costs in making the trip come from transportation and 34 percent comes from food and lodging. The savings that comes in, given the nature of Thanksgiving, makes it a more inviting time to travel compared to the other holidays. I think more people are saying that they are going to save money by sleeping in their family’s beds and eating their food.”

The majority, or 90 percent of travellers, plan to drive, while 8 percent of holiday travellers plan to travel by air.

Drivers are expected to make an average trip of 706 miles, which is down 13.5 percent from last year.

But drivers are expected to spend an average of $554 each trip, which represents a 12 percent increase from last year.

“That’s a reflection of higher gas prices,” Sinclair said of the increase.

Port Authority amps up for holiday travel

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey expects more than 5 million travelers to use its airports, bridges, tunnels, and PATH system during the holiday weekend. Extra customer service initiatives in place to make the trips as smooth as possible.

During this holiday period, more than 1.3 million passengers will travel through John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia and Stewart International airports. Travelers should allow extra time when going to the airport during the holiday period, and should check with their carrier before leaving home to make sure their flight will be departing on schedule.

The Port Authority is prepared to assist air travelers at our Welcome Centers, which provide information about ground transportation, hotels, and other important information. The Port Authority also offers AirTrain service to both JFK and Newark airports.  Additional customer service representatives will be in place to assist travelers at the airports, and additional toll collectors will staff the bridges and tunnels.

Airport customers also will find helpful features on the Port Authority's Web site at www.panynj.gov, which can be accessed at the Welcome Centers. Here, travelers can check flight status and familiarize themselves with other airport-related services.

To reduce delays at the crossings, no major construction projects are scheduled at the George Washington Bridge, the Holland and Lincoln tunnels and the three Staten Island bridges during the holidays. For the most up-to-date information on construction, travelers can call the agency’s tunnels and bridges “Customer Connection” line at 800 221-9903 or visit www.panynj.gov.

At the Port Authority Bus Terminal, passenger traffic is expected to be heavier than normal, so customers are urged to allow extra travel time.

PATH will have extra trains as needed to accommodate travelers looking to get a head start on their trips today. PATH will operate on a Saturday schedule on Thanksgiving Day and a Modified Weekday Schedule the day after, with essential 10-minute frequency of service during the day on all four lines.
Additional Airport Information

About 632,000 passengers will use Kennedy Airport, approximately 407,000 will use Newark Airport and nearly 285,000 are expected at LaGuardia Airport during the holiday period.  About 5,400 passengers are anticipated to use Stewart Airport.

To ease congestion outside the terminals at JFK, individuals arriving to pick up family and friends can use the airport's Cell Phone Lot, where they can wait for free to be notified about arrivals before driving to the terminals.

The Port Authority urges travelers to use AirTrain services to and from Newark and Kennedy airports when possible to help ease congestion.

AirTrain JFK connects to New York City mass transit via stations at Jamaica and Howard Beach. More information is available by calling 877-JFK-AirTrain (877-535-2478). Travelers who must drive to the airport can call 718 244-4444 for parking information or tune in to airport radio at 1630 AM for parking updates.

AirTrain Newark connects to Amtrak and NJ Transit via the Northeast Corridor line. More information is available by calling 888 EWR-INFO, which also offers Newark Airport parking information. Travelers also can tune radios to 530 AM when approaching the airport.

For LaGuardia parking information, call 718 533-3850.