The number of Americans traveling for Thanksgiving will decline slightly this year, according to a forecast by AAA.

About 41 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home over the holiday weekend, down from 1.4 percent, or 600,000 travelers from last year. It would be the first decline in Thanksgiving travel since 2002.

The number of Americans traveling by car is expected to be down 1.2 percent. Travel by airplane is expected to decline 7.2 percent. Travel by train, bus or other type of transportation is expected to be up 5.8 percent.

"Overall, Americans are still showing strong travel intentions this Thanksgiving holiday despite the state of the economy," Pat Moody, AAA Northern New England spokesman, said in a statement.

He said the desire to spend time with friends and family -- along with lower gas prices -- is providing a strong impetus.

The average price for regular gasoline in Maine is $2.21 a gallon, down $1.19 from the same time last year.