‘Gee, the traffic is terrific’
54 million expected to travel more than 50 miles for holiday
If you’re traveling for Thanksgiving, you won’t be alone. In fact, travelers might face the most crowded roads and airports for the holiday in 13 years.
According to projections by AAA, 54.3 million people across the United States are expected to travel more than 50 miles to celebrate the holiday, the most since 2005. And most of those, 48.5 million, will be driving to their destinations, according to the travel organization’s forecast. That’s about 2.5 million more than last year.
“The thriving economy is giving travelers a lot to be thankful for this year,” said Jim Lehman, president of AAA East Central.
The weather forecast and falling gasoline prices will make it easier for travelers.
Tuesday’s National Weather Service forecast for the region calls for a mix of rain and snow early but no accumulation with a high in the mid-30s and a low in the mid- 20s, followed by a dry Wednesday with a high in the upper 30s and winds of 20 mph.
Thursday will be colder with a mostly sunny high in the upper 20s, but Friday should be clear with a high in the 50s before cooling off to possible snow showers overnight and into Saturday. Saturday should be cloudy with a high in the low 40s and a 60 percent chance of rain, followed by a 40 percent chance of rain on Sunday.
“It’s pretty much the same for the Great Lakes region this time of year,” said Lee Hendricks, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Moon. “It’s like the Pacific Northwest this time of year. If you’re looking for sunny and warm, you’re in the wrong place.”
After creeping above $3 a gallon
in recent weeks, gasoline prices are falling just in time for the holiday to $2.88 a gallon this week, according to a survey of 731 Pittsburgh area service stations by the website GasBuddy.com. That’s down 7.2 cents from a week ago and well below prices above $3.10 last month.
In the mid-Atlantic region, which includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, AAA expects 5.8 million people to drive, up 5.1 percent from last year. Another 574,000, up 5.6 percent, will fly.
The busiest days for road travel are expected to be Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, while the least congested days should be Thursday, Friday and Saturday, AAA said.
The same should be true on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, where officials expect 3.7 million people to use the highway, with 750,000 each on the busiest days, Tuesday and Wednesday. The busiest times on the turnpike are expected to be from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, while the least busy days should be Thursday, with 535,000 travelers, and Friday, with 550,000.
The turnpike has suspended all construction for the holiday week and expects to have all lanes open.
The usual reminders for drivers take on more importance during busy periods, AAA said, such as making sure your vehicle is in good shape with a strong battery, recent oil change and fluid-level checks for long-distance travel. The association expects to make 360,000 emergency road calls throughout the holiday week.
And with crowded roads, drivers should be extra careful not to be distracted by cell phones and other electronics, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America said in a news release.
“With greater numbers of distracted drivers on the roads over the Thanksgiving holiday, the potential for crashes increases,” said Bob Passmore, assistant vice president of personal lines policy. “Eliminating distractions, focusing on the road, as well as staying alert to driving conditions and other cars, truly can prevent crashes.”
Airports also should be busy. Trade organization Airlines for America said it expects a record 30.6 million air travelers in the 12day period from last Friday through next Tuesday. The Transportation Security Administration is encouraging travelers to arrive early at airports and help keep inspection lines moving by following the rules for carrying liquids.