AAA Expects Most Holiday Travelers To Drive This Year

With two weeks until Thanksgiving, AAA is predicting that more than 53 million people will travel this year.

90 percent of travelers are expected to drive to their holiday destination.

AAA Oklahoma Travel Advisor Shankia Floyd says if you’re driving, try and leave as early as possible. If you're taking your personal car, she says to make sure it's good to go including up-to-date inspection, checking your tires, and getting an oil change.

She says you can also book a bumper-to-bumper check-up.

AAA predicts the number of people traveling will be 13 percent higher than 2020, the highest increase in one year since 2005.

About 48 million are expected to drive, skyrocketing the demand for rental cars.

"But there are not enough cars to meet that demand, so that's where the price starts to fluctuate and increase. And a lot of people are feeling it,” Floyd said.

She says many families choose to rent for more space and less mileage on their personal cars.

"I know when I get calls in for people to quote a rental car and I tell them the price, they're shocked at what comes back because they weren't expecting it,” Floyd said.

She says the cost to rent a car for the day is up four percent from last year costing close to $100.

The price varies with timing and type of car

"Rental cars could average depending on what city you're in from $300 for a couple of days to $1,000 to a week or so,” Floyd said.

Four million people are expected to fly, which is 80 percent more than last year.

But with airline staffing shortages and flight cancellations, Floyd says driving is more appealing for the majority.

Floyd says if you plan on renting a car, check the price, book it soon and see if you can cancel for free.

She says if you plan on flying, try to get a direct flight and as leave as early as possible to avoid cancellations.