One in four Americans plan to be out of town this Thanksgiving.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25 percent of American adults plan to travel away from home over the long holiday weekend, up from 22 percent last year and 18 percent in 2012.
More travelers are buckling up for a road trip this Thanksgiving. Eighty-six percent (86 percent) plan to travel by car to their holiday destination this year, up significantly from 66 percent last year. Just 10 percent will travel by plane, while 3 percent plan to take a bus. Statistically speaking, virtually no Thanksgiving travelers intend to take a train or some other means of transportation this year.
Last year at this time, 21 percent still had not decided on their mode of transportation. Two years ago, though, 74 percent were traveling by car.
Americans are also in a more generous mood this year when it comes to holiday spending, but they’re off to a slower start shopping.
Adults under 40 are more likely to travel for Thanksgiving this year than older adults, and they’re also the most likely to fly to their destination.
Men are slightly more likely than women to travel for the holiday, and they’re more likely to fly. Women are more likely than men to drive.
Married adults and adults with children at home are less likely to travel this Thanksgiving than unmarried adults and those without children. If they are traveling, they’re more likely to drive than unmarried adults and those without kids.
Higher-income adults are more likely to plan Thanksgiving travel this year than lower-income Americans.
Only nine percent of all Americans say they are more likely to shop at a store that opens on Thanksgiving Day to get a jump on Black Friday deals. Forty-four percent (44%) say they are less likely to shop at a store that is open on Thanksgiving, while just as many (45 percent) say it will have no impact on their shopping plans.
