America's Thanksgiving travel splurge: By the numbers (The Week)

New York ? Money may be tight this year, but Americans aren't letting that ruin their holiday trips

Jobs are scarce. The markets are erratic. Even the cost of a turkey dinner has gone up. But Americans are still digging into their pockets and splurging on road trips so they can spend the Thanksgiving holiday with family. Here, a look at the nation's travel plans, by the numbers:

42.5 million
The number of Americans who will travel 50 miles or more from home for Thanksgiving, according to AAA

4
Percent increase over last year. That's the biggest jump since the economy tanked in 2008.

90
Percent of Thanksgiving travelers who will drive to their destinations this year

60
Increase, in cents, in the average price of a gallon of gas?compared to last Thanksgiving

8
Percent of Thanksgiving travelers who will fly to their destinations

10
Percent of Thanksgiving travelers who flew to their destinations last year

20
Percent increase in airfares nationwide since last Thanksgiving

11
Percent increase since 2010 in roundtrip airfares to the 10 most popular Thanksgiving destinations, according to travel website Orbitz

$373
The average roundtrip airfare this year to those top 10 destinations

5
Percent increase in hotel-room rates in the top 25 destinations, according to TravelClick Inc.

$126.35
Average nightly rate at those hotels

$59
Increase in the amount each Thanksgiving traveler can expect to spend, thanks largely to a jump in transportation costs

Sources: LA Times, MarketWatch, Wash. Post, WTOP

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