Travel looks a little more normal this Thanksgiving, according to AAA. Spokesman Dustin Baird said an expected 54.6 million Americans will go at least 50 miles away from home for the weekend.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about 1.5% increase since last year, 2021,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n Ohio alone 鈥� about 2.2 million Ohioans plan to travel over Thanksgiving weekend.鈥�
According to Baird, about 1.3% more Ohioans will be traveling for Thanksgiving than last year.
There should be 4.5 million more people flying somewhere this year. Baird said the increase comes despite higher costs for plane tickets.
鈥淭he rates fluctuate all the time. I think people just want to see their families quicker,鈥� he said.
Some tips whether you travel by plane, train or automobile
If you are flying, it's important to get to the airport a couple of hours early, not just to account for security delays, but to get a parking space at the airport.
鈥淏ecause in this day and age, flights get canceled constantly, especially around the holidays. It seems to be the norm,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou have that app right at your disposal. You can check-in, typically it鈥檚 24 hours beforehand, but also, you get constant notifications if there is some sort of flight change or delay for that flight.鈥�
Baird said more Ohioans will be taking other forms of transportation, too. 鈥淲e鈥檝e increased in this area, too, with about 60,000 people; an increase of nearly 29% traveling by bus, train or cruises,鈥� he said.
Those increases are reflected nationally: 23% more Americans will be riding the bus or train or taking a cruise for the long weekend.
He said the rush will start on the day before Thanksgiving.
鈥淲orst times to travel are between about 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. That鈥檚 probably the biggest day that鈥檚 going to be a huge issue for road travelers. The next day, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. is the worst time to go. (On) the 25th (it鈥檚) from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. until the 27th."
If you want to avoid heavy traffic, like Baird, plan on leaving early.
鈥淭hose typical rush hour-hours. If you鈥檙e an early riser like I am 鈥� my wife is very reluctant 鈥� but we get on the road by 5 a.m. or 6.鈥�
AAA expects this to be the third busiest Thanksgiving weekend since 2000.
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