Drivers planning to travel this Thanksgiving will have a lot of company on the road. Nearly one million drivers in Wisconsin are expected to visit family and friends next week.
Across the country, nearly 49 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving, according to AAA.That's an increase of one million travelers compared to last year.
"There's a 1.8 percent increase of Wisconsinites traveling 50 miles or more from home," said Nick Jarmusz with AAA Wisconsin. "More folks are feeling confident about where they're at with their finances. Incomes are higher and people are feeling a little more secure in their employment situation."
It appears travelers are also thankful for cheap gas prices.
"Here in Wisconsin, we're almost a quarter below for gas prices compared to last year, and last year we were significantly below where we were the year before that," Jarmusz said.
Debbie Schnake's family is taking advantage of the prices at the pump. She's cooking the big turkey dinner this year in Milwaukee and is expecting family from Chicago, Sheboygan and Madison.
"They would come if the gas prices were higher because they get a free meal, and they will bring their Tupperware and they get to eat for free for the weekend, said Schnake. "They love that they are paying less though."
AAA predicts nationwide Thanksgiving travel will be the highest since 2007. To avoid travel snags, Google's travel expert recommends leaving the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
The worst day to travel the day before Thanksgiving.
