Coloradoans are expected to travel in strong numbers this Thanksgiving weekend, with travel sales by AAA Colorado up 33 percent over last year, the auto club announced today.
That boost is attributed in large part to lower gas prices, said AAA Colorado spokesman Eric Escudero.
The average tank of unleaded gasoline in Colorado cost $2.21 as of last Wednesday, down 18 cents over the same day last year.
Gas prices are a really big factor, said Escudero. The roads and airports are definitely going to be crowded on Wednesday.
Nationally, AAA projects that 38.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this weekend, up 2.7 percent over last year.
The airports are also expected to be busy, with 12.5 percent of travelers journeying by plane this year, up more than 3 percent over last year.
As is traditional, 69.5 percent of travelers plan on staying with family and friends this weekend.
The top five in-state destinations booked through AAA Colorado are Denver, Eagle, Colorado Springs, Glenwood Springs and Montrose.
Thanksgiving bookings at the Hotel Monaco in downtown Denver are up 8 percent over last year, according to general manager Allen Paty.
We re pretty happy with that, he said. Traditionally it s a little bit slower weekend, but that seems to be changing. As the economy improves and with Denver marketing itself more aggressively, we re seeing more bookings.
Staff writer Julie Dunn can be reached at 303-954-1592 or at jdunn@denverpost.com.
