By Alexandra Svokos
in News
Thanksgiving travel is not for the meek, and this year is driving that point home — no pun intended. This is the first Thanksgiving holiday week since the Covid-19 pandemic was officially declared over, and people are clearly making the most of it, whether heading to one of the cheapest countries to visit, a great place to have a vacation home, or just your childhood home.
Whether you’ve already traveled to your destination and have to head home later this week or are gearing yourself up to make that trip, there’s plenty to know about. For those waiting to receive guests this year, that brings its own stressors and responsibilities.
The Thanksgiving travel period, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), started last Friday and goes through next Tuesday, November 28. Here’s what’s happening so far:
‘Busiest ever’ holiday travel season
The TSA already declared this Thanksgiving period the anticipated “busiest ever” holiday travel season, in a press release last week. Overall, they expect 30 million passengers to be screened by TSA.
However, what about drivers? Driving is somewhat better than flying this year. AAA anticipates it will be the third busiest season since 2000. The association projected there would be 55.4 million people traveling 50 miles or more over this Thanksgiving holiday travel period, with 49.1 million traveling by auto. This marks an overall 2.3% increase over last year.
According to Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, “Travel demand has been strong all year, and AAA’s Thanksgiving forecast reflects that continued desire to get away and spend time with loved ones.” In addition, the number of people traveling by cruise, bus, and train over Thanksgiving is up nearly 11% over last year.
The worst times to travel during Thanksgiving week
The busiest travel days are upon us, so good luck to you if you haven’t left yet. Wednesday is predicted to be the worst day for those driving, with average travel times increasing up to 80% higher than usual. This aligns with the general advice to avoid leaving crowded urban areas during peak travel times.
For air travel, the busiest days according to TSA are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday of this week. Sunday is projected to be the busiest day overall.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske stated, “We are ready for the anticipated volumes and are working closely with our airline and airport partners to prepare for this busy holiday travel season.” The TSA aims to maintain wait time standards of under 10 minutes for TSA PreCheck lanes and under 30 minutes for standard screening lanes.
Weather outlook for Thanksgiving travel
While the professionals can anticipate travel demand, unexpected weather issues can create challenges. A cross-country storm is pushing through this week, starting with rain and snow in the West before moving east. There are risks of severe weather, including flash floods and tornadoes, particularly in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
The storm is expected to impact the Northeast as well, with rain predicted in the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) and New York City by Tuesday evening. Travelers along the I-95 should monitor weather reports closely. The storm could develop into a snowstorm by Wednesday night in New England.
The good news for Thanksgiving travelers
There is some good news for those traveling this week: prices are generally lower. Gas prices have been dropping, including a substantial decrease of 25 cents in just the last month. The national average for regular unleaded hit $3.33 per gallon as of November 17, which is considerably lower than prior months.
Additionally, rental car prices in the U.S. have decreased by 20% from last year, and hotel rates have dropped by 12%. However, flight prices have risen by 5% compared to last year, though international flight prices have decreased by almost 6%.
Thanksgiving travel tips
To make your trip easier, consider the following tips:
- If flying, arrive at the airport early. Packing smartly according to TSA regulations can reduce delays.
- Check your flight details carefully to ensure you’re heading to the correct airport.
- If picking up a traveler, ensure you know the airport’s waiting lot location to avoid stress.
- For drivers, the best times to leave are early in the morning or after 6 PM on Wednesday. Avoid driving in the middle of the day when traffic is heaviest.
- Plan your return for before noon on Saturday or Sunday to avoid peak traffic times.
Travel can be stressful, but with careful planning and a little preparation, you can arrive at your destination to enjoy the holiday festivities with family and friends.
