Thanksgiving Travel 2017: Busiest In Years, Says AAA

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Nearly 51 million people will travel for Thanksgiving, the highest number in 12 years, according to the American Automobile Association. What does that mean for traffic? AAA predicts that traffic in the most congested cities could take up to three times as long as the same trip under "optimal" conditions.

The Thanksgiving weekend is loosely defined as Wednesday to Sunday, Nov. 26.

But if for some reason you've got lots of time off, know that Sunday to Tuesday may offer the best national travel weather, said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist.

Most travelers will be driving, AAA said. That's despite the highest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2014. AAA predicts automobile travel will grow by 3.2 percent, with 45.5 million Americans planning a holiday road trip.

“A strong economy and labor market are generating rising incomes and higher consumer confidence, fueling a strong year for the travel industry, which will continue into the holiday season,” said Bill Sutherland, AAA senior vice president, Travel and Publishing.

If you're driving around the tri-state area, AAA says the worst time to be on the roads will be 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, when traffic will be two times its normal volume. If you're flying, the worst time to get to JFK Airport via the Long Island Expressway will also be Tuesday evening.

And be sure you service your car before starting out: AAA predicts it will have to rescue more than 330,000 motorists this Thanksgiving season.

Image via Shutterstock

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