AAA predicts increase in Thanksgiving travelers

Wednesday, November 17th 2004, 2:04 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Despite higher prices for gasoline, airline tickets and hotel rooms, the number of people traveling during the Thanksgiving Day holiday is expected to increase this year, according to AAA Oklahoma.

About 435,000 Oklahomans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home by vehicle, an increase of 1.3% from 2003, while another 45,000 will travel by air, an increase of 4% from 2003, said AAA spokesman Chuck Mai.

Nationwide, 37.2 million Americans are expected to travel for the holiday, an increase of 3.1% over last year.

``There's a renewed sense of confidence in both the nation's economy and in airline security this year,'' Mai said.

``Travel volumes are projected to surpass pre-9/11 levels for the first time.''

The average price for one gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Oklahoma $1.783, down 10-cents from three weeks ago, but 43-cents higher than Thanksgiving 2003.

The average in Tulsa is just $1.722 per gallon and in Oklahoma City the average is $1.748 per gallon.