MICHIGAN, USA — Michigan is gearing up for an unprecedented travel surge this Thanksgiving. AAA projected that nearly 2.3 million drivers will hit the road for holiday gatherings traveling 50 miles or more.
This surge is part of a national trend, with 79.9 million Americans expected to travel – 1.7 million more than last year. Thanksgiving season is also seeing the highest number of air travelers. The FAA predicted Tuesday to be the busiest day leading up to the holiday.
Thanksgiving travel highlights
- Total Michigan drivers: 2.3 million (50,000 more than last year)
- Total U.S. travelers: 79.9 million (1.7 million more than last year)
- Car travelers: 71.7 million
- Air travelers: 5.84 million domestically
- Expected airport security screenings: 18.3 million passengers
“We expect to see record travel numbers across the board,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA. “With more people taking to the roads, skies, rails, and sea; travelers should expect congested roads and longer lines at transportation terminals. AAA encourages travelers to develop their plan now and consider travel insurance, which provides compensation for flight cancellations, delays, and lost luggage.”
As a result of the travel boom, AAA expanded their holiday travel period to include Tuesday through Monday. Travelers should brace for bustling highways and crowded airports as they embark on their journeys to loved ones this Thanksgiving.
For road travelers, good news comes in the form of lower gas prices, with the national average dropping to $3.06 per gallon, compared to $3.26 last Thanksgiving.
According to INRIX, here are some of the best days and times to travel for Thanksgiving:
- Wednesday, Nov. 27 - Before 10 a.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving Day) - Minimal impact expected
- Friday, Nov. 29 - After 1 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 30 - Before 1 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 1 - Before 1 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 2 - Before 8 a.m. / After 7 p.m.