AAA said this could be the first Thanksgiving in six years that holiday travel declines.

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The silver lining? Likely fewer traffic deaths.

AAA predicted that about 1.5 percent fewer travelers across the nation, including about 400,000 fewer motorists.

More than 33.2 million Americans -- 81 percent of holiday travelers -- are expected to travel by automobile, down from the 33.6 million people who drove a year ago.

Citing National Safety Council figures, AAA estimated that 479 deaths and nearly 26,000 injuries will occur during the period.

That compares to a 623 deaths in 2006 and 542 deaths in 2007.

Gas Prices Weighed

Even though the price of gasoline has come down significantly in recent months, the spike earlier in the year and economic uncertainty now has made for a noticeable decline in driving.

The national average for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline sank below the $1.90 per gallon mark Tuesday, dropping for the 69th straight day in a national survey.

AAA also estimated that about 5 million motorists will be stranded with vehicle problems this holiday season.

The auto club expects to provide 2 million motorists with towing services and jump start or replace 1 million batteries during the months of November and December, based on data from previous years.

"Cold temperatures and wintery weather take their toll on vehicles, especially if they have not been properly maintained and prepared for winter," said Marshall L. Doney, vice president, AAA Automotive. "Now is not the time to defer vehicle maintenance."

Airlines Hold Collective Breath

Airlines, which have lowered fares at a time when they usually can mark them, up can't combat the extra fees the struggling industry has tacked on to everything from checked baggage to pillows to in-flight food.

AAA estimates that the 4.54 million people expected to fly during the long holiday weekend is 7.2 percent less than the 4.89 million who did the same last year.

Graeme Wallace, of farecompare.com, a consumer airline ticket research Web site, said it may take until after the first of the year before airlines know if the recent fare reductions will put many more people on planes. He said in his recent experience, business flights have been crowded but leisure flights are often half empty.