More than 584,000 Kansans are expected to travel this Thanksgiving weekend, according to AAA.
That’s a 2% increase from last year’s travel volume, as some 55 million Americans head to their holiday destinations. AAA spokesman Shawn Steward says 9 in 10 travelers will be traveling by car, with many taking advantage of significantly lower gas prices compared to a year ago.
The average gas price in Kansas is $2.99, about 30 cents lower than a year ago.
In addition, Steward says AAA is expecting its emergency roadside assistance crews will also stay busy through the weekend.
Steward says if you do become stranded, having an emergency kit in your vehicle is always good practice.
AAA says air travel is also up 6 percent, while other modes of transportation also are up about 16% from a year ago.
Motorists are also advised to practice safe driving habits and never drink and drive. According to data collected between 2017 and 2021 in Kansas, 27 people died in traffic crashes, including five involving alcohol impairment. Of the 3,384 vehicle crashes overall during that period, 128 were alcohol related.