AAA: 100 million Americans to travel this holiday season
RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Expect traffic to be "terrific" as millions of Americans head out for the holidays this year.
AAA projects that over 100 million Americans will make a holiday trip of over 50 miles. Over 2.8 million will be traveling in Virginia.
"One in three people in the Commonwealth are anticipated to go 50 miles or more to celebrate, making Virginia roadways busier than they have ever been during this time of year," said Martha Mitchell Meade, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
More than 90 percent of travelers will be hitting the roads with the national gas average just shy of $2. The average price in Virginia is $1.85 per gallon, 57 cents less than last year.
"Dramatically lower gas prices and rising income levels are adding to the joy of the season this year as travelers use extra dollars to head out in record numbers," said Meade.
Over 151,000 Virginians are taking to the skies. Airfares for the top 40 domestic flight routes are six percent lower this holiday season, falling to an average of $174 roundtrip, according to AAA's Leisure Travel Index.
With millions head out this year, AAA expects to rescue nearly 900,000 motorists during the 12-day, year-end holiday travel period, including 12,000 in Virginia. AAA says dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires will be the main causes, so be sure to check the condition of your battery and tires before heading out.
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