Fewer Americans will travel to their Thanksgiving destinations by air this year, though the overall number of people headed out of town is projected to increase to more than 38 million, according to AAA.
Last year, as the economic recession began to set in, AAA projected the first decline in Thanksgiving travel since 2000.
This year, the travel company is predicting air travel will decline 1.4 percent, while automobile travel is expected to increase 2.1 percent to 33.2 million travelers. Overall, 38.4 million Americans are expected to travel 50 or more miles from home for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Fuel prices in the South Central Ohio region, which includes Marietta, have dropped for the last two weeks, according to AAA, although oil prices have risen for three consecutive days.
Prices at the pump this week are still more than 60 cents higher than a year ago, but several local motorists asked about holiday travel plans said fuel costs are a small price to pay when it comes to family time.
"We head to Cleveland every year to visit with my mom and my brothers," said Larry Alsept, 49, of Marietta. "If it costs me $40 bucks in gas or $80 bucks in gas, we're going.... Mom's turkey and dressing is worth more than that to me."
Last year, the auto club cited higher gasoline prices earlier in the year and tighter budgets for many families for the first dip in overall travel by Americans in eight years. Gas prices soared to nearly $4 a gallon during the summer of 2008.
A recent survey by American Express indicated many consumers were planning to spend about the same amount as they did last year for Thanksgiving, but nearly 30 percent of respondents indicated they plan to change their travel plans - relying more on automobile travel, staying for a shorter time and cashing in rewards to help pay for holiday trips.
Ben and Christy Myers, of Reno, said they still plan to travel to visit family and friends over the holiday season.
"I don't think we'll be spending as much on gifts and going out for big dinners," said Christy Myers, 33. "We're cutting back, like I'm sure a lot of people are this year. But we still want to get together with everyone and have some fun."
Ben Myers, 36, said the couple considered flying to Chicago for Christmas with family.
"Flying is nice, but unless there's a lot of snow, the trip by car isn't that bad," he said, noting it is a lot cheaper, too.
