• About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Careers
Saturday, December 9, 2023
WTMJ
  • Home
  • News
    • Local
    • National
    • Crime
    • Featured Stories
    • Decision Wisconsin
      • Countdown to the RNC
    • Guest Editorials
  • Weather
    • Closings and Delays
    • Flight Status
    • Interactive Radar
    • Watches and Warnings
  • Traffic
    • Driver’s Ed with Debbie
  • Sports
    • Extra Points
    • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Brewers All Access Podcast
    • Milwaukee Bucks
      • Bucks in 6 Minutes
      • Bucks Talk
      • Bucks Weekly: The Podcast
    • Green Bay Packers
      • Green & Gold Insiders Podcast
    • NCAA
  • Shows
    • Wisconsin’s Morning News
    • WTMJ N.O.W.
      • German Grandeur with Steve Scaffidi & Fox World Travel
      • What’s On Tap
    • Jeff Wagner
    • Wisconsin’s Afternoon News
      • Football Food Picks with Chef Adam
    • What’s On Tap
    • WTMJ Nights
    • Wisconsin’s Weekend Morning News
    • WTMJ Conversations
    • Featured Shows
      • Accunet Mortgage & Realty Show
      • Creative Planning presents, Rethink Your Money with John Hagensen
      • Drake & Associates Retirement Ready Show
      • Every Day Health
      • Fix It Show
      • Hired! The GKB Recruitment Show
      • Money Talk, The Annex Wealth Management Show
  • Podcasts
    • Wisconsin’s Morning News Podcast
    • WTMJ N.O.W. Podcast
    • Jeff Wagner Podcast
    • Wisconsin’s Afternoon News Podcast
    • Daily Download
    • What’s On Tap Podcast
    • WTMJ Nights Podcast
    • Wisconsin’s Weekend Morning News Podcast
    • Decision Wisconsin: Countdown to the RNC Podcast
    • Featured Show Podcasts
      • The Accunet Mortgage and Realty Show Podcast
      • Creative Planning presents, Rethink Your Money with John Hagensen
      • Drake & Associates Retirement Ready Podcast
      • Experience Wisconsin Podcast
      • The Fix-It Show Podcast
      • The Fox World Travel Show Podcast
      • Money Talk, The Annex Wealth Management Show Podcast
    • Brewers All Access Podcast
    • Milwaukee Bucks
      • Bucks in 6 Minutes
      • Bucks Weekly: The Podcast
      • Bucks Talk: The Podcast
    • The Steve Scaffidi Show
    • WTMJ Conversations Podcast
    • The Truth on WTMJ: The Podcast
    • Green & Gold Insiders Podcast
    • WTMJ Conversations 2023: The Podcast
  • Features
    • 2023 Kapco Kids2Kids Christmas Toy Drive
    • Travel Wisconsin
    • German Grandeur with Steve Scaffidi & Fox World Travel
    • Spotlight on New York City Holiday with John Mercure and Collette
    • Annex Wealth Management Webinar
    • Every Day Health
    • Experience Wisconsin
    • 5Q
    • Sunday Sip
  • Contests
    • WTMJ’s 2023 Holiday Hub
LISTEN LIVE
WATCH LIVE
No Result
View All Result
WTMJ
  • Home
  • News
    • Local
    • National
    • Crime
    • Featured Stories
    • Decision Wisconsin
      • Countdown to the RNC
    • Guest Editorials
  • Weather
    • Closings and Delays
    • Flight Status
    • Interactive Radar
    • Watches and Warnings
  • Traffic
    • Driver’s Ed with Debbie
  • Sports
    • Extra Points
    • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Brewers All Access Podcast
    • Milwaukee Bucks
      • Bucks in 6 Minutes
      • Bucks Talk
      • Bucks Weekly: The Podcast
    • Green Bay Packers
      • Green & Gold Insiders Podcast
    • NCAA
  • Shows
    • Wisconsin’s Morning News
    • WTMJ N.O.W.
      • German Grandeur with Steve Scaffidi & Fox World Travel
      • What’s On Tap
    • Jeff Wagner
    • Wisconsin’s Afternoon News
      • Football Food Picks with Chef Adam
    • What’s On Tap
    • WTMJ Nights
    • Wisconsin’s Weekend Morning News
    • WTMJ Conversations
    • Featured Shows
      • Accunet Mortgage & Realty Show
      • Creative Planning presents, Rethink Your Money with John Hagensen
      • Drake & Associates Retirement Ready Show
      • Every Day Health
      • Fix It Show
      • Hired! The GKB Recruitment Show
      • Money Talk, The Annex Wealth Management Show
  • Podcasts
    • Wisconsin’s Morning News Podcast
    • WTMJ N.O.W. Podcast
    • Jeff Wagner Podcast
    • Wisconsin’s Afternoon News Podcast
    • Daily Download
    • What’s On Tap Podcast
    • WTMJ Nights Podcast
    • Wisconsin’s Weekend Morning News Podcast
    • Decision Wisconsin: Countdown to the RNC Podcast
    • Featured Show Podcasts
      • The Accunet Mortgage and Realty Show Podcast
      • Creative Planning presents, Rethink Your Money with John Hagensen
      • Drake & Associates Retirement Ready Podcast
      • Experience Wisconsin Podcast
      • The Fix-It Show Podcast
      • The Fox World Travel Show Podcast
      • Money Talk, The Annex Wealth Management Show Podcast
    • Brewers All Access Podcast
    • Milwaukee Bucks
      • Bucks in 6 Minutes
      • Bucks Weekly: The Podcast
      • Bucks Talk: The Podcast
    • The Steve Scaffidi Show
    • WTMJ Conversations Podcast
    • The Truth on WTMJ: The Podcast
    • Green & Gold Insiders Podcast
    • WTMJ Conversations 2023: The Podcast
  • Features
    • 2023 Kapco Kids2Kids Christmas Toy Drive
    • Travel Wisconsin
    • German Grandeur with Steve Scaffidi & Fox World Travel
    • Spotlight on New York City Holiday with John Mercure and Collette
    • Annex Wealth Management Webinar
    • Every Day Health
    • Experience Wisconsin
    • 5Q
    • Sunday Sip
  • Contests
    • WTMJ’s 2023 Holiday Hub
LISTEN LIVE
No Result
View All Result
WTMJ
No Result
View All Result

The Thanksgiving travel period has begun

Debbie Lazaga by Debbie Lazaga
November 23, 2022
in News, News Features
Finance committee OKs road-funding plan
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterEmail

MADISON, Wisc., (November 15, 2022) – AAA predicts 54.6 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving.  While overall national and local travel totals are less than 1% short of the pre-pandemic high in 2019, air travel from Wisconsin will exceed pre-pandemic levels and set of new record high this year.

WisconsinTotal TravelAuto TravelAir TravelOther Modes
2022 Forecast1,094,395957,872106,89529,628
2021 Figures1,075,927954,67397,33323,951
2020 Figures944,955886,56852,6785,710
2019 Figures1,155,4721,025,356100,62329,494

“Travel is still roaring back from the pandemic,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “While gas prices and other inflationary pressures weigh on budgets, travel remains a top priority for Americans, particularly during the holidays. Travel spending is at the highest level since the pandemic began, which is a driving force behind our projections this year. AAA expects busy roads and long lines at the airport, so leave early and be flexible with your travel plans.”

89% of Holiday Travelers will Drive

Despite higher gas prices, 89% of all Thanksgiving travelers will drive. AAA forecasts 48.65 million Americans will set out for a holiday road trip. That’s 203,000 more drivers than last year.

In Wisconsin, 957,872 will take a road trip – an increase of 3,199 people from year’s holiday.

Gas Prices to Test Record Highs for the Holiday

On Monday, Wisconsin drivers paid an average price of $3.59 per gallon. That’s 48 cents more than last Thanksgiving ($3.11).

“Higher gas prices don’t seem to be enough to stop people from traveling to be with family and friends,” said Nick Jarmusz, director of public affairs, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We’ve found that when gas prices are high, travelers look to offset the added cost by spending less on a hotel, shopping or dining out.”

Busiest Days to Travel

If you are hitting the road for the holidays, leave early. Travelers should expect much heavier than normal congestion Monday-Wednesday afternoon and early evening. Traffic will be lighter during the morning and late evening hours and on Thanksgiving Day.

Date Worst travel time Best travel time 
11/23/22 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Before 8:00 AM, After 8:00 PM 
11/24/22 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Before 11:00 AM, After 6:00 PM 
11/25/22 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Before 11:00 AM, After 8:00 PM 
11/26/22 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Before 2:00 PM, After 8:00 PM 
11/27/22 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Before 11:00 AM, After 8:00 PM 

In the local area, most construction projects have moved to a holiday configuration, but there will probably still be some long term closures still in place. Knowing where these pinch points are will be critical to a smooth ride.

No matter what, making sure you’re prepared with a good travel safety kit, full tank of gas and knowing where to go will make all the difference in this year’s adventure over the river and through the woods.

Air Travel Nears Pre-Pandemic Levels

In addition to congestion on the roads, Thanksgiving travelers are likely to find long lines at the airport too. Nationwide, air travel is up nearly 8% from last year, with 4.5 million Americans flying to their Thanksgiving destinations this year. That’s an increase of more than 330,000 air passengers and nearly 99% of the 2019 volume. 

It’s not uncommon for flight delays and even cancellations this time of year, due to winter weather, staffing challenges, and strong demand.

Here are some tips for air travelers:

  • Check-in early online.
  • Monitor your flight status using your air carrier’s mobile app.
  • Arrive 2-3 hours before scheduled departure.
  • Pack medications and an extra set of clothes in your carry-on bag, just in case your flight is delayed or cancelled.

Tips for Air Travelers who Have Not Booked their Flight Yet:

  • Book a flight that leaves early in the day. Flights in the afternoon and evening are more susceptible to delays and cancellations.
  • Book a direct flight. Otherwise, build in extra time between connections, in case your first flight is delayed.
  • Consider traveling on Thanksgiving Day. This could offer the best combination of availability and price.

“It’s not too late to purchase travel insurance, which can be extremely valuable for air travelers,” Haas said. “There are policies that can provide compensation for flight delays for as little as three hours. And if your flight is cancelled, passengers can receive compensation for covered out-of-pocket expenses.”

Travel Prices are Mostly Higher than Last Year

  • Airfares cost 22% more than last year
    • The lowest round trip airfare costs $166 vs $135 in 2021
  • Hotels cost 17% more than 2021
    • A mid-range AAA Three Diamond property costs $218 per night vs $187 last year
  • Car Rentals cost 7% less
    • The average daily rate is $90 vs $98 last year
Tags: ThanksgivingTravel
Previous Post

11-22-22 Brewers Weekly w/ Dominic Controneo

Next Post

3rd woman linked to dating app predator dies

Debbie Lazaga

Debbie Lazaga

Stay Connected

  • 22.3k Followers
  • 1k Follower
  • 1.4k Subscribers

Most Popular

Several beers

Conservative legal group plans challenge to new state liquor law

December 8, 2023
Certain applesauce packets recalled by FDA

Certain applesauce packets recalled by FDA

December 8, 2023
Audit: UW tuition $ up, in-state enrollment down

Universities of Wisconsin reach a tentative compromise over D.E.I. programs, pay raises

December 8, 2023
Worker electrocuted at abandoned Milwaukee mall

Governor Evers pledges grant to redevelop Northridge property

December 8, 2023
Kenosha students & staff stage “walk-in” over potential closures

Kenosha students & staff stage “walk-in” over potential closures

December 8, 2023
WTMJ

For more than 90 years, WTMJ-AM has been "Wisconsin's Radio Station".

Follow Us

Home

News

Weather

Traffic

Sports

Shows

Podcasts

Features

Careers

Contests

Recent News

07-16-22 Hired! The GKB Recruitment Show

Hired! The GKB Recruitment Show 12-9-23

December 9, 2023
Money Talk 11-26-22

Money Talk 12-9-23

December 9, 2023
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • EEO PUBLIC FILE REPORT
  • FCC Public File
  • FCC Applications
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 Good Karma Brands, LLC.

  • LISTEN LIVE
  • Home
  • News
    • News
    • Local News
    • Coronavirus
    • Decision Wisconsin
  • Weather
    • Weather
    • Watches and Warnings
    • Closings and Delays
    • Flight Status
  • Traffic
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • Green Bay Packers
    • Milwaukee Brewers
    • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Shows
    • Shows
    • Wisconsin’s Morning News
    • WTMJ N.O.W.
    • Jeff Wagner
    • Wisconsin’s Afternoon News
    • WTMJ Nights
    • WTMJ Conversations
    • Featured Shows
  • Podcasts
  • Features
    • Features
    • Good Karma Give Back
    • WTMJ Roundtable
  • Contests
  • Alexa
No Result
View All Result

© 2022 Good Karma Brands, LLC.