Nationally, more Americans are expected to travel long distances during the Thanksgiving weekend, but the economy and gas prices are still factoring into this year’s plans for some Kenoshans.

According to estimates from the Automobile Association of America, the number of people who will travel 50 miles or more during Thanksgiving is expected to grow to 38.4 million this year, up 1.4 percent from last year.

In 2008, the number of people traveling during the period plummeted 25 percent, showing the first decline in Thanksgiving travel since 2002.

But several local residents interviewed by the Kenosha News said they were planning to travel a short distance or had no travel plans at all, because their family lives in the area.

A few who said they normally travel long distances aren’t planning to do so this year because gas prices remain high, or because they have to work. Those same people said the dismal economy is a factor in their plans.

Rebecca Williamson said her family is staying in Kenosha instead of visiting family in Louisiana, Texas, Nevada or Virginia. She cited a recent spike in gas prices as another deterrent.

In Wisconsin, gas prices average $2.61, nearly 55 cents more than last year.

“We’ve gone and visited (family) in past years,” Williamson said. “Nowadays it’s out of control to try to get a deal.”

Tina Peterson of Kenosha said her family usually travels to Eau Claire. But with three young children, the Petersons prefer to drive a larger vehicle, and that means paying higher gas prices.

The family also owns a chiropractic business and must stay in town so they can open it the day after Thanksgiving.

“It costs twice as much to go anywhere, and you can’t shut down a business for a day to travel,” Peterson said.

Less road congestion

For travelers heading to Thanksgiving dinners and deer hunting spots, the state Department of Transportation said roads will be less congested with construction cones.

“We’re pulling back the orange barrels to make way for orange parkas,” said Don Greuel, with the state’s Bureau of Project Development. “While we’re finishing up many of our projects, some work may still be under way in the days before Thanksgiving, so deer hunters heading up in the days before the holiday may have to watch for an occasional road project.”

An exception is northbound I-94 in Kenosha County, where Greuel said only two lanes will be open from the state line to Highway 50.

A project to expand Highway 41 to four lanes between Green Bay and Marinette is now complete, which means Highway 41 is now four lanes from the Illinois border to the Upper Peninsula.

The state DOT also said law enforcement will be out in force throughout the holiday season, enforcing speed limits, as well as drunken-driving and seat-belt laws.

Motorists can get information about lane closures, traffic crashes and road conditions by dialing 511 or going to www.511wi.gov.

Travel to increase nationally

AAA said this year’s expected increase in travel nationally reflects improved consumer confidence, better financial markets and a growing sense among U.S. consumers that the worst of the economic crisis has passed.

Travel experts also say gasoline prices — down 56 cents in October nationally from year-ago prices — have encouraged more people to travel. About 86 percent of Thanksgiving vacationers are expected to travel by car, the association said.

AAA predicted the number of people who will fly to their Thanksgiving destinations will fall by 6.7 percent this year.

Since 2000, the number of Americans traveling by air during the Thanksgiving weekend has dropped 62 percent, and this year, AAA noted, Americans are balking at stricter airport security, more frequent flight delays, reduced capacity and added fees.