In Southern California, 5.6 million people are expected to travel, up 0.2%. Considering that the region's population is greater now than last year at this time, that statistical uptick might be misleading, said Marie Montgomery of the Automobile Club of Southern California. "It might be an indicator that [travel] is slowing down a bit."
Some people are adjusting their plans, choosing closer destinations or looking for bargains, Montgomery said. Higher costs affect travel around Christmas and New Year more than Thanksgiving, she added, because the November holiday is much shorter and people tend to take long vacations at the end of the year, not just quick visits to see friends and family.
