VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - A record number of Virginians are expected to travel during the Thanksgiving holiday, according to predictions from AAA.
AAA projects that over 1.3 million Virginians will be traveling 50 miles or less, which is a 3.7 percent increase from last year. That's the biggest increase since 2007.
Across the country, 48.7 million people are expected to travel for the holiday, between Wednesday and Sunday. Driving is the most popular mode of travel for Thanksgiving, with more than 89 percent of holiday travelers opting to hit the roads.
The increase is believed to be due to improvements in the economy during the second half of the year, including rising wages, increased consumer spending and overall strength in consumer confidence.
AAA also says they estimate US drivers have saved more than $28 billion at the pumps this year compared to last year, despite increases in the national average price of gasoline.
In Virginia, the current average price for gas is $2.02 which is ten cents less than a month ago, but 3 cents more than last year. Whereas, the average price for gas in Hampton Roads is $1.98, which is 11 cents cheaper than last month and two cents more than last year.
