SF Residents Make Holiday Travel Plans

by Laura Monteverdi, Reporter
November 18, 2012 5:05 PM


Wednesday marks the official start of the Thanksgiving holiday travel season and the number of travelers is expected to increase again this year.

Last year more than 145,000 South Dakotans wandered 50 miles or more from their home for the Thanksgiving holiday.This year AAA predicts that number will increase another percent.

One of the most popular methods of travel is by air.

"For us with young kids, it's just so much more convenient for us to get on a couple flights and be there the same day and it means more time for us to spend with the family once we're there,” said Sioux Falls resident Karla Santi.

Despite a decrease of almost 11 percent in airfares, the number of people flying is expected to decline nationwide this year. This is due to many people who are choosing to stay close to home.

“I'm having the kids over and we're going to have a quiet Thanksgiving dinner and of course shop,” said Sioux Falls resident Penny Shrader.

In fact, 90 percent of all travel will be done by car this year and AAA predicts that people won't travel far.
The average distance people are willing to go has decreased from 706 miles to 588 miles. The major factor is that people say they need to save money.

If that wasn't the case,  some say they would definitely plan a trip somewhere special.

"I'd probably go down to Arizona or Florida-somewhere where it's really warm!” said Sioux Falls resident, Lindsey O’Hara.

Not only has the amount of miles traveled decreased, so has the average spending as Americans continue to prioritize to make their dollar go further.