When Americans hit the road this year for Thanksgiving family gatherings, 31 percent of Americans surveyed say they'll be traveling more than 500 miles, and another 31 percent say they will travel between 200 and 500 miles.
This year 92 percent of respondents say they are driving and just 6.5 percent say they’ll fly.
But no matter how far people go for Thanksgiving or how much people think they'll save on fuel ... that doesn’t mean people are looking for ways to spend their hard-earned money.
Of more than 81,000 Americans surveyed by GasBuddy this month, 71 percent said they expect to spend less on Thanksgiving this year.
“The Thanksgiving holiday is such a deeply-rooted part of who we are that families will always do what it takes to bring everybody together, regardless of fuel prices,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. “But the mood we’re getting from our survey results suggests that notably lower gas prices have brought a sense of relief, perhaps some optimism, and also a sense of caution.”
Among those traveling, more than 16 percent say that savings from lower gas prices is leading them to alter their plans. For some that may mean stretching the Thanksgiving holiday and/or, avoiding traffic.
GasBuddy Thanksgiving Survey: Key Findings
When do we go?
• 36 percent say their Thanksgiving travel begins on Thanksgiving Day.
• 30 percent said it starts the day before.
• 18 percent say they’re hitting the road two to three days before.
What about the return trip home?
• 25 percent say they'll fight the tryptophan malaise and drive home later on Thanksgiving
Day.
• 42 percent say they’ll wait two to three days and drive home Saturday or Sunday.
• 22 percent say they expect to hit the road with a fresh start the next morning.
How well prepared are we?
• 95 percent of respondents have a smart phone.
• 52 percent say they use two to three travel apps for their Thanksgiving travels.
• 34 percent will actively use four or more apps.
How much are we saving?
Economists say most of us have saved at least $500 since June. From Thanksgiving through the following Sunday, motorists collectively will save more than $650 million on gasoline versus what they spent last Thanksgiving — or more than $160 million a day.