Thanksgiving Travel Will Be Even Busier This Year

Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner the countdown is on for the most congested roads and crowded airports of the year.

AAA is predicting the fourth consecutive increase in the number of Thanksgiving travelers this year, albeit on smaller budgets.

The travel group expects 43.6 million Americans will hit the highways and airports over the holiday, a 0.7 percent bump over last year, reports USA Today. But whereas travelers spent on average of $544 last year, they will spend only $498 this year.

Ninety percent of the holiday’s travel will be done by car and seven percent in the air, The Washington Post reported.

Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Marcus Brown responded to the increased traffic by ordering increased patrols during the holiday weekend.

“With the increased traffic on the roads during this traveling season, arriving safely should be drivers’ number one priority,” Brown said in a press release. “There will be extra patrols and cooperative enforcement initiatives with local law enforcement agencies targeting drunk, aggressive, and distracted drivers, as well as those exceeding the speed limit, refusing to wear their seat belts, or not having a child properly placed in a safety seat.” 

If you’ll be one of the holiday’s 24 million flyers, click here for Transportation Security Administration tips on how to make your holiday travels as smooth as possible.

Will you be traveling this Thanksgiving? What is your strategy for avoiding traffic? Tell us in comments.

Get local stories delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.

Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our newsletter