Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and a large chunk of the state will be on the move for the holiday. (iStock)
Nearly a quarter of the First State expected to travel 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving, according to AAA, so here are some trends and tips.
Most of you will be traveling by car. The average cost of a gallon of gas is $3 in Delaware, so consider topping off before you leave. That $3 per gallon is more than 10 cents less than the average one year ago. There’s also an average cost hike of 28% on hotels across the country.
The average price for a domestic round trip flight for Thanksgiving holiday travel, based on AAA Travel bookings, is $700, 3% higher than last year. The average cost of cruises actually went down 28%, though, to $1,170.
More than 3 million passengers are expected to be security screened by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. So wear socks if taking off your shoes in public freaks you out.
TSA says it may exceed the previous record when it screened 3 million travelers on July 7 this past summer.
Top destinations for travelers shouldn’t be a big surprise: Four Florida cities (Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa); beaches, theme parks, and cruise ports in Florida; New York, California, Hawaii, and Las Vegas; Europe (Budapest, Rome, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Munich); and the Caribbean (Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Cancun, Mexico).
Somehow, Grandma’s house didn’t make the list.
When driving, make sure tires and car batteries are working properly. AAA Mid-Atlantic had 2,000 calls that needed emergency roadside service crews during the Thanksgiving travel period last year. A dead battery, tire problems, and a vehicle breakdown needing a tow are the top three reasons for those calls.
The state reminds everyone to have a plan to travel sober, and to take advantage of the new Sober Rides campaign, which allows residents to get a $20 voucher for rideshares Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 5 p.m. through Thursday, Nov. 28, at 2 a.m.
More than 830 people died nationwide in crashes involving drunk drivers over the Thanksgiving holiday period ― Wednesday through Sunday ― from 2017 to 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Drivers involved in fatal crashes during nighttime hours are four times as likely to be impaired compared to those involved in daytime fatal crashes.
AAA offers the following tips:
Remember that buzzed driving is drunk driving. Don’t risk it.
Never let friends or family drive if they are impaired.
Always buckle up. It offers your best chance of survival in a fatal crash.
If you suspect that another motorist is impaired, contact law enforcement.
Designate a safe and sober driver or download a ride-share app before the celebrating begins.
If you don’t have a designated driver, plan to call a cab or a ride-share service or use public transportation.
If you’re hosting a holiday party, offer festive non-alcoholic drink options for your guests and those serving as designated drivers.
Get sober before getting behind the wheel. Only TIME works―not coffee or cold showers. It takes about one hour to burn off an average drink. Five ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1½ ounces of liquor all contain about the same amount of alcohol.
Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
