Higher gasoline prices and fewer available airline seats than a year ago don’t seem to be interfering with Thanksgiving travel plans.

AAA Travel estimates 36 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more this holiday, up from the 35.2 million who did so last year.

Most travelers — a projected 31.1 million — will go by car. And 6.8 million of those will be on roads here in the Midwest, making it the busiest travel weekend of the year.

While AAA statistics show more people than ever will travel at least 15 miles from home this season, there’s good news for the millions going by motor vehicle: The average price of a gallon of gas is 24 cents lower than it was during Labor Day weekend. The current average is $1.46 per gallon of unleaded regular in Kansas, according to AAA.

However, prices are up nationally an average of 13 cents a gallon from a year ago, according to a weekly federal government survey.

But for the projected 4.6 million people going by air, the outlook isn’t as bright.

“With the reduction in flights, departures and seats, those people who don’t have tickets yet are going to be unpleasantly surprised,” said Amanda Wiltz of AAA. “Most everything is sold out.”

Parking is usually tight at Kansas City International Airport, Walters said, so she recommends travelers arrive at least two hours before their flight. Allow even more time if there’s bad weather, she said.