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Buckle Up: AAA Estimates High Thanksgiving Traffic

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If you’re getting ready for Thanksgiving travel this week, you’re not alone. The American Automobile Association estimates that you’ll join about 55 million people heading to the skies or the roads this turkey season. Most of your fellow travelers, about 49.3 million people, will use the U.S.A.’s highways and back roads to reach family and friends. Talk about a traffic headache.


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If the AAA estimates are correct, road traffic will be at its highest at Thanksgiving since 2005. It’s an increase of about 2.8 percent from last year. When it comes to the biggest jams and gridlock, AAA’s partner INRIX says that Wednesday will predictably be the worst. This is especially true when you’re rolling during that day’s evening commute. INRIX predicts that you’ll have the most trouble if you have to drive through the Atlanta, Los Angeles, or New York City metro areas from about 5:00-7:00 p.m., with 3.5 times more delays than on a usual drive.

You can’t breathe a sigh of relief if you take to the skies, either. Airports will reportedly expect a 4.6 percent growth in Thanksgiving congestion. That’s about 4.45 million fliers working through TSA checkpoints around the country. If you’re choosing to cruise above the speed traps and road construction, make sure you still leave plenty of time to navigate airport parking lots and lines between you and the gates.


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Traffic is pretty much guaranteed when you travel on a busy holiday weekend. When you make your plans next year, consider traveling on the Monday before Thanksgiving, which AAA and INRIX agree is the lighter travel day. If you’re stuck in a sea of red brake lights this week, just dream of all that good food you’ll be able to tuck into when you arrive.

News Source: AAA