TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A record number of Floridians are expected to travel this Thanksgiving, according to AAA.

Travel numbers show that more than 4.5 million Floridians will travel 50 miles or more— an all-time high for the holiday. Compared to last year, nearly 112,000 more Florida residents are anticipated to be on the move.

Nationally, records are expected to break, with nearly 80 million travelers— roughly 1.7 million more than in 2023, and 2 million more than in 2019.

AAA said the uptick in travel is driven by economic growth, decreasing inflation, and stronger income gains.

“We expect to see record travel numbers across the board,” Vice President of Travel for AAA Debbie Haas said. “With more people taking to the roads, skies, rails, and sea; travelers should expect congested roads and longer lines at transportation terminals.”

Below is how this year’s travel modes for Floridians compare to 2023:

  • Auto: 4.1 million in 2024, compared to 4 million in 2023
  • Air: 289,168 in 2024, compared to 284,411 in 2023
  • Other (including buses, cruises, and trains): 82,343 in 2024, compacted to 76,505 in 2023

AAA expects automobile travel to set new records, but gas prices in Florida remain relatively the same, compared to last year. Air travel will likely also break records nationally, with 5.84 million flying domestically.

Credit: AAA via INRIX, a transportation data and insight provider

The top Thanksgiving destinations, according to AAA, are warm destinations, including many Florida cities like Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale, along with other cities like Honolulu, Hawaii and Los Angeles, California.

This year’s Thanksgiving holiday travel period is Tuesday, Nov. 26 through Monday, Dec. 2.

AAA encourages travelers to check in and arrive early to flights, book direct flights to avoid additional delays, and leave early if driving to allot extra time to reach their destination.