2022 Thanksgiving trips face a snarl of pre-pandemic proportions
With airports crowded this year, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that Thanksgiving trips will be packed this year. But you might still want to arm yourself if you head out.
AAA says 54.6 million people will travel 50 miles or more this year, a 1.5% increase from 2021 and the third-biggest Thanksgiving ever since the group began tracking travel in 2000. (That’s slightly fewer as of 2019, when 56 miles were recorded million passengers on the road.)
“Families and friends look forward to spending time together this Thanksgiving, one of the busiest in the last two decades,” Paula Twidale, AAA’s senior vice president of travel, said in a statement. “Plan ahead and pack your patience whether you’re driving or flying.”
If you fly, the journey could be especially frustrating. Not only are airlines struggling with staff shortages and, in many cases, fewer flights, but the total number of people taking to the skies is expected to increase by 8% year-on-year. About 4.5 million Americans will fly to their destination. Be prepared for long TSA lines and a possible lack of parking.
In general, however, people drive to their destinations. Almost 49 million people are expected to take to the streets. Wednesday 23 November will be the busiest day, but expect heavier than usual traffic jams from the previous day.
If on the 23rdapprox, it’s best to avoid travel between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m., says AAA. The worst travel times on 24th will be from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For the next three days, it will be most congested between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
How bad will the roads be? AAA has some estimates of the increases over typical traffic some cities will see:
Atlanta – I-85 South from Clairmont Rd to MLK Jr Dr will climb 105%
Chicago – I-290 West from Morgan St to Wolf Rd will be bumpy 99% of the time
los Angeles – I-5 South between Colorado St and Florence Ave can expect a 144% increase
new York – When traveling via I-278 South, expect a 158% climb between I-495 and 6th Ave
Seattle – Watch for an 86% grade along I-5 South, from WA-18 to WA-7
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