Auto Club Estimates 5.4 Million Western Travelers
19 November 1998
Auto Club Estimates 5.4 Million Western Travelers Will Increase Air and Road Traffic This Thanksgiving
LOS ANGELES--Nov. 18, 1998--More than 5 million motor vehicle travelers in the western United States are expected to take to the highway for the coming long Thanksgiving weekend, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.
They will be among the record 33.6 million Thanksgiving travelers nationwide who will journey 100 miles or more by car, plane, train or bus. That number is a 2 percent increase over last year and a 24 percent increase since 1985.
Auto Club travel experts predict that 5.4 million motorists from the 13 western states will hit the road over the next week to visit family, friends and vacation destinations, approximately the same number as last year.
The record Thanksgiving weekend for auto travel was set in 1992, when 5.8 million motorists made long-distance trips in the West.
"According to a survey of our members, the top destinations for Southern California drivers include San Francisco, the Central California coast, Las Vegas, Yosemite, local mountains, the Grand Canyon, and desert areas in the Southwest," said Bernard Gandara, manager of travel-related services for the Auto Club.
Gandara said airline reservations for the long weekend were made earlier than in prior years. Most airplane seats for Wednesday night, Nov. 25, and Sunday, Nov. 29, are already sold out, he said.
"Southern California's top airline destination for the Thanksgiving holiday is Hawaii," Gandara said. "During previous Thanksgivings, travelers preferred less exotic destinations. That could mean that more people are using the holiday for a getaway rather than visiting relatives."
Both air and auto travelers should allow themselves extra time to reach their destinations because of the heavy traffic on the holiday. Air travelers should arrive at the airport at least two hours early because of possible long lines for luggage checks and more thorough security checks.
Drivers who encounter fog, rain or snow while traveling either Wednesday, Nov. 25 or Sunday, Nov. 29, should keep in mind that bad weather combined with unusual traffic congestion will increase the risk of collisions.
"If at all possible, drivers should avoid traveling during the peak Thanksgiving traffic congestion periods, particularly if bad weather is reducing visibility," said Arline Dillman, the Auto Club's traffic safety expert. "Thanksgiving is an important family holiday, and traveling families should remember that a safe arrival at their destination is their primary goal."
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by the organization's emergency road service, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs and legislative advocacy.
Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.
