The trees around town have — finally — started turning into the autumn visual delight of red, orange and yellow which means turkey day is fast approaching. And with the pandemic firmly in the rearview mirror for most, larger gatherings are expected this Thanksgiving, according to a Butterball survey, and more travelers on the road and in the air, according to AAA.

AAA projects 79.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. For the first time, AAA’s forecast includes the Tuesday before and the Monday after Thanksgiving Day to better capture the flow of holiday travelers. This year’s projection of nearly 80 million travelers is an increase of 1.7 million people compared to last year and 2 million more than in 2019.

“Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year we’re expecting to set new records across the board, from driving to flying and cruising,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “Americans reconnect with family and friends over Thanksgiving, and travel is a big part of that. AAA continues to see travel demand soar post-pandemic with our members looking for new adventures and memorable vacations.” 

AAA projects a record 71.7 million people will travel by car over Thanksgiving – that’s an additional 1.3 million travelers on the road compared to last year. This year’s number also surpasses pre-pandemic numbers when 70.6 million people drove to their Thanksgiving destinations in 2019. 

Gas prices are lower this Thanksgiving season compared to 2023. The national average last Thanksgiving Day was $3.26. Falling oil prices this autumn may help push the national average below $3 a gallon for the first time since 2021, and that could happen before drivers hit the road for Thanksgiving. Locally, gas prices are currently averaging $4.15 a gallon to $3.83 a gallon, according to GasBuddy.com.

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, says the worst times to travel by car over Thanksgiving are Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. The best time to hit the road is Thanksgiving Day itself when interstates and highways are typically clear. Drivers returning home on Sunday should leave early in the morning, and those coming back on Monday should expect a mix of travelers and work commuters on the road. 

Thanksgiving air travel is also expected to set a new record. AAA projects 5.84 million people will fly domestically this holiday. That’s an increase of 2% compared to last year and a nearly 11% increase over 2019.  According to AAA booking data, air travelers are paying 3% more for domestic Thanksgiving flights this year, while the number of flight bookings is similar to last year. International flight bookings are up 23% compared to last Thanksgiving, in part because the cost to fly internationally is down 5%.  

Nearly 2.3 million people are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, including buses, cruises, and trains. This category is seeing an increase of almost 9% compared to last year and an 18% jump over 2019, in large part due to the popularity of cruising. The demand for cruises has been red-hot post-pandemic. Domestic and international cruise bookings are up 20% compared to last Thanksgiving.

Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner

As shoppers flood local grocery stores this week in preparation for Thanksgiving, many families fear the impact inflation will have on their planned holiday feasts. And while total food prices are up 2.3% compared to last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is some good news as turkey prices in 2024 are down 12% from last year.

The American Farm Bureau is estimating the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people this year to be $56.93, down from $61.17 in 2023. However, according to a recent LendingTree survey of nearly 2,050 U.S. consumers, potential Thanksgiving hosts plan to spend an average of $431 on Thanksgiving food, drinks and decor — up 19% from last year. And 36% of them admit doing so is a financial strain, which may put some in debt.

Other key findings from the LendingTree survey include:

• Hosting a Thanksgiving meal can cost you. Six-figure earners ($579), men ($496) and parents with young children ($493) expect to spend the most on average.

• Inflation is leading some to change their Turkey Day plans. 60% of celebrators say inflation is impacting their Thanksgiving. Most commonly, 27% will change food choices, 26% will coupon more and 9% won’t host due to costs. Given the cost, 35% of potential hosts may reconsider opening up their homes next year.

• Bellies are full of turkey and stuffing, but some are full of regret. Over a third (36%) of potential hosts admit the amount they plan to spend on Thanksgiving will be a financial strain, and 14% already regret their decision to host. 34% of potential hosts will use their credit cards to pay Thanksgiving costs.

Some states — including the Golden State — have significantly higher costs for Thanksgiving dinner. Here are the top five for 2024, according to the Farm Bureau:

• Hawaii: $80.02

• Alaska: $73.84

• Maryland: $70.66

• Nebraska: $70.29

• California: $70.19

Hawaii remains the most expensive state due to its remote location and high shipping costs for food items, while Alaska faces similar challenges, contributing to its elevated prices.

Many states fall into a mid-range category where costs are moderate:

• Virginia: $70.13

• New York: $69.92

• Wisconsin: $69.88

• Oregon: $69.87

• South Dakota: $70.14

These states often feature a mix of urban and rural areas that influence food prices, with urban centers typically experiencing higher costs due to increased demand.

On the other end of the spectrum, some states offer more affordable options for Thanksgiving dinner:

• Georgia: $58.20

• Kansas: $58.21

• Missouri: $59.11

• Alabama: $59.13

• South Carolina: $60.36

These states benefit from lower living costs and abundant agricultural produce, making it easier to find good deals on traditional Thanksgiving items.

Key Ingredient Costs

If you prefer a traditional turkey dinner for Thanksgiving, you’re in luck:

• Americans can expect to pay $31.16 for a 15-pound turkey this year — an average of $2.08 per pound. Cost Less on West Main Street in Turlock, however, is advertising frozen turkeys for 38 cents a pound (with a $25 purchase).

• Across the country, turkey prices in 2024 are down 12% from last year.

• In Hawaii and Alaska, turkey prices can be significantly higher due to transportation costs.

Despite the cost of turkey around the country, hosts are committed to serving turkey this year, according to the 2024 Butterball Togetherness Report. Of those surveyed, 87% of hosts are planning to serve turkey, whether it’s a whole turkey, breast or roast. Families can get tips of preparation, cooking and storing leftover turkey from the poultry experts at Foster Farms by visiting: https://bit.ly/3Dsmpi4

To create a complete Thanksgiving dinner, we need to consider other traditional items that typically accompany the turkey. Based on previous data from 2023, here are some estimated costs for common Thanksgiving dishes:

• Stuffing (14 ounces): Approximately $3.77.

• Frozen pie crusts (2): About $3.50.

• Whipping cream (half pint): Around $1.73.

• Frozen peas (1 pound): Estimated at $1.88.

• Dinner rolls (1 dozen): Approximately $3.84.

• Pumpkin pie mix (30 ounces): About $4.44.

• Whole milk (1 gallon): Estimated at $3.74.

• Sweet potatoes (3 pounds): Approximately $3.97.

• Vegetable tray (1 pound of carrots and celery): About 90 cents.

• Fresh cranberries (12 ounces): Estimated at $2.10.

Despite an expected increase in total cost of Thanksgiving meals this year, the Butterball survey found that Americans will be gathering in larger numbers this year.

“With worries of the pandemic behind us, people are increasingly gathering in larger numbers and most looking forward to spending time with friends and family over the holiday. The average predicted gathering size this Thanksgiving will be nine people, up from seven people in 2023,” states the report.