Despite economic concerns and higher gas prices over last year, 1.4% more Americans in 2009 plan to hit the road for a turkey dinner with friends and family, according to the AAA auto club.

"With 500,000 more of us traveling this year, Grandma may have to set a few more plates than she did last year," said Glen MacDonell, director of AAA Travel Services. "Obviously, Americans are willing to travel a long way to visit friends and family."

Much of the travel will occur on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which looks like it will be a bad weather day in many regions. Rainstorms are predicted from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico.

The rain will move east during the day to the East Coast, then end Thursday morning, said Steve Flood of the National Weather Service. "We're looking at rain and some thunderstorms over the Mid-Atlantic down into the Southeastern states and mostly rain over New England."

More people will be traveling even though average gasoline prices this week are $2.63 per gallon, up 56 cents from last year, according to the Energy Department. The slight increase follows last year's 25% drop in Thanksgiving travel from 2007, AAA said.

The travel forecast is based on surveys AAA and its researchers conducted last month. They showed that 700,000 more people plan to take the family car — an increase of 2.1%. The surverys found that 100,000 more people are planning to take other modes of transport, such as buses and trains, marking an increase of 1.2%. About 200,000 fewer people than last year will travel by air.

Air travel is down largely because airlines have cut back on flights by nearly 7%, according to the Air Transport Association. That does not mean fewer delays.

"Your planes are going to be full, your lines are going to be longer than usual," said David Castelveter, spokesman for the Air Transport Association. "The people who fly on Thanksgiving are ... people who travel once or twice a year. They're not the most experienced travelers, so the system slows down."

The busiest air travel date will be Nov. 30, followed by Nov. 29, Nov 20 and Nov. 25, he said. The busiest airports will be Chicago, Los Angeles and Denver, according to online travel booker Orbitz Worldwide.

Those who are taking destination holidays will find deals, said Orbitz spokeswoman Jeanenne Tornatore. Travelers to Las Vegas, a popular U.S. holiday destination, will find average hotel rates have dropped to $80 a night, which is 9% lower than last year's Thanksgiving week rates.

Clint Bolte of Chambersburg, Pa., is expecting 24 guests for Thanksgiving this year, "the largest crowd ever gathered at the ole homestead."

In these economic tough times, Bolte said, it is more important to spend time with family, where nurturing is second nature. "There is still much to be thankful for," he said.

Enlarge By Karen Bleier, AFP/Getty Images Travelers walk through the main concourse at the Minneapolis/St.Paul International Airport in St. Paul, Minnesoata. Despite discounted air fares, fewer Americans are expected to fly during the Thanksgiving holiday. But even with fewer fliers, travelers can expect delays because of fewer flights.