When people think of Thanksgiving, they likely think about turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes. Thanksgiving is also known for heavy traffic because many people travel for the holiday. This year, AAA estimates that almost 49 million people will travel for the holiday. This is almost a 2% increase in expected travelers compared to last year.
The increase in estimated travelers for Thanksgiving can be partially attributed to improvements in the economy. The improved economy makes people more likely to travel. Something that usually slows down travel is increased gas prices. Even though gas prices have increased over the past few months, AAA does not believe that this will have much of an effect on expected travel for Thanksgiving.
The days that are considered to be part of the Thanksgiving travel period are Wednesday, November 23 through Sunday, November 27. The days that there will likely be the most travelers on the road are November 23 and November 27.
If you are planning to travel for Thanksgiving, ensure that you leave with plenty of time to arrive at your destination and plan ahead. It is also a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected, such as delays and traffic jams because of the increased volume of travelers on the road.
We wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Do you have any tips for traveling during the holidays?