More Of Us To Leave Home For The Holidays
CHICAGO (WBBM) - Even with high gas prices and security hassles at the airports, the AAA Chicago Motor Club expects more people to be traveling for the holidays this year.
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The Triple A projects a 3 percent increase in the number of Americans going 50 miles or more from home for the year-end holidays. It expects more than 92 million people to travel by planes, trains and cars this year, compared with 89.5 million last year.
An expected just under 5 million Illinoisans will be on the move during the holiday period from next Thursday, December 23rd through Sunday, January 2nd.
The Triple A credits an improving economy for the increase.
93 percent of the holiday travelers are expected to go by car even though gas prices are averaging 40 cents a gallon higher this year than last. The Triple A says hotel rates are up while air fares are slightly lower than last year's.
