With Thanksgiving approaching, a travel surge is expected to hit the roads and skies, as predicted by AAA Travel. Houston is bracing for heavy traffic, with predictions pointing to a near 80 million Americans traveling 50 miles or more, a significant uptick from last year's numbers. "Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year we’re expecting to set new records across the board," Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel, told click2Houston.
In Houston, major thoroughfares like I-45 North and I-10 East are predicted to see considerable congestion, with travel times potentially increasing by 30% at peak hours. Motorists are advised to plan their travels strategically, especially since Monday evening is expected to be fraught with traffic, peaking around 5:45 p.m. However, drivers might find a silver lining at gas stations, with national gas prices anticipated to fall below $3 per gallon, and in Houston, costs may range between $2.25 and $2.50 per gallon.
On the air travel front, airports including George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport are gearing up for record-setting crowds. Nationwide, approximately 5.84 million travelers will fly, surpassing previous high marks for Thanksgiving air travel. Houston airports encourage passengers to arrive at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and three hours ahead for international flights, with the aim to manage the increases smoothly.
Aside from driving and flying, the holiday travel rush extends to Sacramento, with Sacramento International Airport spokesperson noting a spike in passenger traffic as early as the Friday before Thanksgiving. As reported by KCRA, travelers have already begun to navigate the anticipated crowds, with some opting to fly before the holiday to avoid peak travel days. "You can only control what you can control. Be comfortable and expect it and yeah, hopefully everything ends up smooth," traveler Kili Silafau said. In Sacramento, the airport recommends arriving two and a half hours before flight departure and advises passengers to use their airline’s app for flight updates.
Amidst the bustle of holiday plans, travelers appear to be embracing patience and caution. "Allow time and be especially kind because it's a holiday weekend and everybody's trying to do the same thing,” said Bob Davis to KCRA.
