MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Prices continue to climb, as the holiday season is fast approaching.
Actually, rental car prices sky-rocketed in the summer, as a result of car rental companies experiencing a shortage of vehicles and high-demand.
More vehicles have since been brought in but, as more people get ready to get on the road again for Thanksgiving and winter holidays, rates are on the rise.
“Holiday travel like this isn’t as big for rental cars, but we’re still seeing about a 5% increase in costs,” AAA director of public affairs Nick Jarmusz said.
AAA predicts there will be nearly 4 million more people traveling in cars this year from last year nationwide. In Wisconsin, they forecast 63,000 more drivers will be hitting the road.
“We’re expecting a lot more people to be traveling this year, compared to last year,” Jarmusz said. “Not quite back up yet to pre-pandemic levels of travel, still about 4% or 5% fewer travelers than 2019, but obviously very close.”
As for rental cars, AAA says we can expect to see an average daily car rental rate of $98 over Thanksgiving – that’s up about 5% from last year, but 31% higher than 2019.
So, if you’re planning to get yourself behind the wheel of a rental car this holiday Jarmuz tells FOX 11 to book early.
“We would urge anyone who does plan on renting a car, or are interested in getting a car for their holiday travels to do it as soon as possible – to make that reservation, because inventories are still tight with automakers, and that is trickling down to the rental car companies.”
Prices associated to travel, across the board, may be soaring, but Jarmusz says, they’re not expected to be a roadblock in people’s plans.
“People are still gonna get together and travel to see their family.”
AAA says this year’s travel forecast marks the highest single-year increase in Thanksgiving travelers since 2005.
