Thanksgiving by the Numbers

Curious how your fellow Americans spend their Thanksgiving? We compiled facts and figures from TripAdvisor, Orbitz and the U.S. Department of Transportation to give this Turkey Day snapshot:

Who travels?

43,400,000 Americans travel for Thanksgiving

Why do they travel?

40% travel to have dinner with family 4% travel to have dinner with friends

How far do they go?

50 miles or more on average

Where do they go?

The 5 most popular cities to travel to for the holiday are:

• New York City
• Orlando
• Chicago
• Los Angeles
• San Francisco

How do they get there?

38,900,000 travel by car 3,140,000 travel by plane

1,400,000 travel by bus, train or ship

When do they leave?

27% of drivers leave on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving – the busiest travel day

64% plan to travel during off-peak hours to avoid heavy traffic

Where do they stay?

44% of travelers stay at the home of family or friends

42% stay at a hotel or vacation rental

How do they book their tickets and accommodations?

57% of travelers use a mobile device in the booking process

How much do they spend on traveling?

$384 is the average domestic airfare

$162 is the average hotel rate

What about the food?

235,000,000 turkeys are raised in the U.S. each year

46,000,000 turkeys served for Thanksgiving dinner

736,000,000 pounds of turkey served for Thanksgiving dinner

16% of people eat at a restaurant on Thanksgiving

How much is spent on the feast?

$49.04 is the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people

$21.76 is the average cost of a 16 lb. turkey

$75 or more is the average for a ready-to-eat meal from a grocery store

From All of Us at The Boccarossa Insurance Agency...

 

11 Travel Tips for Thanksgiving

With winter weather, freezing temperatures and rain forecasted for much of the country and more than 43 million Americans expected to be on the roads this week, the American Red Cross offers tips to help Thanksgiving travelers arrive safely at their destination:

AUTOMOBILES

 

1. Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or other local news channels before you get on the road. Avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow or dense fog. If travel is necessary, keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle.

 

2. If winter weather is present, bring pets/companion animals inside before you leave the house.

 

3. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order. Fill your gas tank, check the air pressure in your tires and make sure you have windshield fluid.

 

4. Buckle up, slow down, don’t drink and drive, or text and drive.

 

5. Make frequent stops on long trips. If you’re too tired to drive, stop and rest.

 

6. If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible.

PLANES & TRAINS

 

1. It’s flu season. If you’ve been sick or been in contact with someone who is sick, consider postponing your trip. You could be contagious for a week before symptoms appear.

 

2. Remember that everything you touch has to be touched by someone else – luggage handlers, etc. Handle your own belongings as much as possible. Wash your hands often with soap and water.

 

3. Carry hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes with you. You can use them to wash your hands or wipe down surfaces such as armrests.

 

4. Bring your own pillows and blankets – they can act as a shield against the seat itself.

 

5. Avoid touching your face or eyes. If you have to cough or sneeze, do so into a tissue or your sleeve.

 

BONUS TIP

Download the American Red Cross First Aid App. The app provides users with quick, expert advice on what to do in case of an emergency. This free app is available on the Apple iTunes or Google Play stores. See all Red Cross apps at redcross.org/mobileapps.