Watch CBS News

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.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Regine Schlesinger Reports

Podcast

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.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.