Thanksgiving Travel Tips.

 We are just over a week away from Thanksgiving.  This is a time when people try to get home to celebrate the time with family or friends.  I have someone coming out and I'm hoping they make it on the day they are scheduled because the weather has been such that planes are being cancelled quite frequently.

It is estimated that over 55 million people will travel at least 50 miles to spend time with family.  Although most people will drive to their destination, most people who fly will try to leave Wednesday afternoon making it the heaviest day of travel.

The best way to get the cheapest ticket for flying is to plan to fly the Monday immediately before Thanksgiving or on Thanksgiving day itself, otherwise you'll have to pay more.  Furthermore, plan on paying higher car rental  and hotel rooms than usual for off season price.  This is important to know when budgeting for the holiday.  In addition when planning to return home, try to hold off for Monday because more people travel home on Saturday and Sunday.

Since most people drive to their holiday location, knowing that traffic congestion can increase up to four times the normal amount in major towns and cities because people are all heading out at about the same time helps in planning.  This increase in congestion begins on the Monday prior to Thanksgiving itself and doesn't ease up until Thanksgiving itself.  

This increase in travel can also cause an increase in the time it takes to get to the airport.  Furthermore, due to the number of people traveling by air, the wait in security line also increases so it is important to plan ahead, especially at major airports.  Since it is a major time to travel, airlines usually increase the number of seats available but if you wait too long to purchase your ticket, you might end up paying more than you might by buying it in September or October.

It is recommended that if you can manage to drive or fly to your destination by leaving early on Thanksgiving day, you will face less traffic or spend less time in security lines because most people will have already arrived at their destination.  If you can't wait till Monday to travel, plan to leave bright and early in the morning, no later than 6 AM to beat the rush.  If you are not a morning person, try leaving after 8 PM to avoid the evening rushes.

If you are going anywhere for Thanksgiving, plan ahead to travel on the lightest days, take care, and enjoy. Wednesday, I'll share a few places you might want to head for instead of visiting relatives over Thanksgiving.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.