For nine consecutive years, Californians have shown increased enthusiasm for holiday travel and this year is no exception, as more than 5.8 million Californians are predicted to travel 50 miles or more this Thanksgiving holiday celebration.

This represents a slight increase of 3.1 percent when compared to last year’s figures.

“This ongoing travel trend is spurred by improvements in the economy, increased consumer spending, and overall strength in consumer confidence,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “Californians are eager to travel and turn this four-day weekend into the most traveled holiday in the past nine years.”

According to AAA, car travel will lead the way with more than 5 million Californians projected to drive during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This represents a 3.4 percent increase when compared to last year’s figures.

AAA projects that more than 626,000 holiday travelers will fly, which is an increase of 1.6 percent when compared to 2015.

More than 192,000 state residents are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, such as boats or trains, an increase of 1.1 percent when compared to last year’s figures.

Nationally, AAA forecasts that more than 48 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the four-day weekend, a 1.9 percent increase compared to last year’s travel statistics. 

The AAA Leisure Travel Index reports that prices at AAA Three Diamond lodgings are expected to remain relatively flat, with an average price of $155 per night.

This Thanksgiving weekend, airfares will increase by 21 percent, landing at an average of $205 roundtrip across the top 40 domestic flight routes, according to the AAA Leisure Travel Index.

Car rental rates will average $52 for the holiday weekend, down 13 percent from last year. The expected primary activities this holiday weekend will be dining, shopping and visiting family and friends.

According to www.AAA.com bookings, this year’s top destinations for Thanksgiving getaways include many popular west coast cities.

The most popular destinations are:

· Las Vegas;
· San Francisco;
· San Diego;
· Orlando;
· New York City.

With automobile travel accounting for more than 89 percent of all travel during the Thanksgiving holiday, AAA expects to come to the rescue of more than 370,000 motorists over the four-day weekend, with the primary reasons for breakdowns being dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts.

AAA recommends motorists check battery and tire condition and prepare vehicles for winter driving before heading out on a holiday getaway.

Battery and charging system: Have the battery and charging system tested by a trained technician. A fully charged battery in good condition is required to start an engine in cold weather. AAA members can request a visit from a AAA Mobile Battery Service technician who will test their battery and replace it on-site, if necessary. AAA Approved Auto Repair and AAA Car Care Plus shops can also test and replace weak batteries.

Battery cables and terminals: Make sure the battery terminals and cable ends are free from corrosion and connections are tight.

Drive belts: Inspect the underside of accessory drive belts for cracks or fraying. Many newer multi-rib “serpentine” belts are made of materials that do not show obvious signs of wear; replace these belts at 60,000-mile intervals.

Engine hoses: Inspect cooling system hoses for leaks, cracks or loose clamps. Also, squeeze the hoses and replace any that are brittle or feel excessively “spongy.”

Tire type and tread: In areas with heavy winter weather, installing snow tires on all four wheels will provide the best winter traction. All-season tires work well in light-to -moderate snow conditions provided they have adequate tread depth. Replace any tire that has less than 3/32inches of tread. Uneven tire wear can indicate problems with alignment, wheel balance or suspension—all of which must be addressed to prevent further tire damage.

Tire pressure: Check tire inflation pressure on all four tires and the spare more frequently in fall and winter. As the average temperature drops, so will tire pressures – typically by one PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The proper tire pressure levels can be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker often located on the driver’s side door.

Holiday travel projections are based on research conducted by IHS Global Insight. The Boston-based economic research and consulting firm teamed with AAA earlier this year as part of an agreement to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays.