Des Moines, IA (Radio Iowa)– Officials with Triple-A are projecting a significant boost in Thanksgiving travelers throughout the Midwest this week.

Spokesman Brian Ortner says in the months since the COVID-19 pandemic ended, there has been a steady increase in travel numbers both throughout the state and around the nation.

Ortner adds the bump in travel is also being helped by lower prices at the gas pump.

The motor club says about four-point-three million people in our region will be traveling over Thanksgiving, with three-point-eight million going by motor vehicle and another 231-thousand will be flying.