EAST TEXAS-- The American Automobile Association says they expect 42 million Americans to hit the road today, which is a nearly twelve percent increase from last year.  AAA says 94 percent of Americans traveling today will do so by driving, even though gas prices have been up since mid-October.

In fact, AAA says Americans are paying around $0.25 more per gallon for gas than last year. However, it's not stopping drivers today--one of the busiest traveling days of the year.

AAA says the higher number of travelers this year could mean the economy is getting better.  Still, the number is 30 percent below the amount of Thanskgiving travelers in 2005.