More Southern Californians are expected to hit the roads this Thanksgiving than last year, but many will be traveling cheaper and spending less once they arrive at their holiday destinations, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.

Warm weather and clear skies are forecast across much of the state, taking some travel worries out of the equation.

Roughly 2.19 million people will travel 50 miles or more, up 8 percent from last year's 2.02 million, said Marie Montgomery, spokeswoman for the auto club.

Some families, such as the Marmolejos of Escondido, say their gatherings won't have many frills this year.

"We're going to TJ (Tijuana), but I don't think we're doing anything (extra) ---- the economy is bad," said Juan Marmolejo, 19, seated at a bus stop in downtown Escondido on Monday.

The first-year Palomar College student said his family's traditional Thanksgiving meal might not be as lavish this year because some family members won't be able to pitch in.

"They don't have money," he said.

Travel officials say many of the region's travelers are likely to skip a hotel stay and bunk with friends or family. Or they might trade a sit-down meal on the way for a fast-food burger, Montgomery said.

"We did indeed find a lot of concern about the economy and a lot of (people) pinching pennies," she said.

More than one-third of Southern California residents who plan to travel over the November and December holidays say they will spend less money on their getaways than in the past because of the economy, according to a poll conducted by the auto club this year.

The survey of more than 700 Southern Californians found that 44 percent of those planning trips say they'll spend less than $500 on holiday travel, while 75 percent plan to spend $1,000 or less.

Thanksgiving is the second-busiest travel holiday, Montgomery said. Christmas is traditionally the busiest, with the Fourth of July occasionally taking second place.

Even with the expected 8 percent travel increase this Thanksgiving, the total is likely to be down 32 percent from two years ago, before the recession began in earnest, the auto club said. That year, 3.19 million Southern Californians journeyed 50 miles or more.

Travel nationwide is expected to see a tiny jump up 1.4 percent, from last year.

Most regional travelers, 85 percent of them, will drive to their destination. And while road travel is expected to be up 9 percent, air travel is likely to decline by 1 percent this Thanksgiving, the club reported. Air travel declined 60 percent the prior year, the auto club noted.

Steve Shultz, a spokesman for San Diego International Airport, said close to 50,000 passengers typically file through the downtown airport on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the following Sunday.

Despite the sluggish economy, some local families said holiday travel remains a priority.

Vesta Gleissner of Escondido said she's still expecting 22 people at her home Thursday, some from as far as Nevada and New York.

"Everyone's coming here. ... No changes," she said, taking a break from her job at Yardage Town in Escondido. "We are a family of great tradition. That stands above all else."

Train and bus travelers remain a "small minority" in Southern California, Montgomery said. The auto club tallies them in the "other" travel category. Most years, the category ranges from 5 percent to 10 percent of total travelers, she said. This year, it increased by 9 percent after dropping 42 percent the year before.

An Amtrak spokeswoman said her agency expects a 5 percent increase in train passengers this Thanksgiving compared with last year.

Starting Wednesday and running through Sunday, motorists should see more law enforcement officers on local roads. Officers will be looking for speeders, reckless drivers and anyone else breaking the law, said CHP Officer Steven Zelasco, of the agency's Oceanside office.

Zelasco urged drivers headed on long trips to follow common-sense practices before leaving, including checking weather reports, giving themselves extra time to reach their destination and making sure their cars are prepared for the stresses of a long journey.

Call staff writer Chris Nichols at 760-740-5426.