Record number of travelers expected this Thanksgiving

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — With just days to go until Thanksgiving, millions will be traveling across the country this week.

Some experts say holiday travel could break records this year.

“(The) AAA forecast is predicting about 80 million people traveling for Thanksgiving. So that would set a record,” said AAA spokesperson Elizabeth Carey.

Carey said that the record-setting estimate is an increase of more than 1.5 million travelers from last year.

She added that this record-setting year may be due to people turning Thanksgiving into an excursion. In addition to the 60 million flying, 72 million are expected to drive more than 50 miles, and even cruises are up 30 percent this year.

“We’re seeing people take Thanksgiving, which used to be just about gathering with family and loved ones for the feast, and turn it into a bigger vacation,” Carey said. “People are leaving earlier and they’re staying a little bit longer. It used to just be Wednesday to Sunday, but now we’re seeing people leaving over the weekend — leaving Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and coming back Sunday, Monday, Tuesday.”

Carey said that most people will drive. Helping those who will be on the road, national gas prices may drop below $3 a gallon Thanksgiving week, which would be the lowest gas price since 2021. Roads are expected to be busy throughout the week, especially Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon into the evening, as well as Sunday afternoon and Monday evening’s commute.

Carey added that those who fly will be doing so for more money than last year as airline tickets are being sold for 3% more.

“The No. 1 destination is Orlando because people love the theme parks. They’re decked out for the holidays,” Carey said.

“I’m flying to Orlando and that’s just as busy, too,” said Karen Gembar of East Aurora. “I traveled on Monday and Tuesday and it’s extremely busy, so I thought maybe if I was flying at night it might be a little better this time,”

At the airport, TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein said this will be the busiest Thanksgiving on record for security with TSA projected to screen 18.3 million people.

“We’re going to see probably about a 6% increase in the number of people screened at our checkpoints compared to last year,” Farbstein said.

Thanksgiving is a holiday surrounded by food, and Farbstein made a point to remind travelers that solids like meat, stuffing, and casseroles can go in your carry-on but liquids like cranberry sauce, gravy and canned veggies should be packed in your checked baggage.

“Basically if you can spread it or pour it, it is considered to be a liquid,” Farbstein said.

We asked neighbors, do Thanksgiving leftovers taste good in the clouds?

“Absolutely. Everyone wants to taste the goodness of Thanksgiving,” said Felicia Ali.

The biggest message from experts: Pack your patience. Other travel tips the NFTA offers to help make the security process smoother is to wear clothing items and shoes that are easier to take off while going through security and make sure to start your packing process with an empty suitcase so you know exactly what’s in your bag. There is going to be a lot of people on the roads and airports so arrive early. The busiest travel days are expected to be Wednesday and Sunday, and Monday after Thanksgiving.

AAA recommends that flyers pack lightly to avoid losing checked bags in case of weather hiccups, and if you do check a bag to place an Apple AirTag to track where your luggage is.

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Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.

Hope Winter is a reporter and multimedia journalist who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here.

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