Traveling for Thanksgiving? What to expect this holiday season

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The holiday season is here, and what that means for travelers is congested traffic and extended travel time, which can mean unexpected delays or even cancellations.

According to The Vacationer, nearly 51% of adult Americans are expected to travel this Thanksgiving, an increase of over 5% from 2023.

Plan on Flying?

As people prepare for Thanksgiving, USA Today warns that the worst days to travel are Wednesday, Nov. 27, and Sunday, Dec. 1, as both days will experience significant delays.

Those flying will also find that Thanksgiving is more expensive than any other travel time with flights costing 45% more than average, according to Hopper’s 2024 Holiday Travel Outlook.

• To avoid missing your holiday plans, check your Jacksonville flight online and monitor your flight status on the air carrier’s mobile app

• Arrive two to three hours before your scheduled departure and plan for delay or cancellation in the event your travel plans change

• Anyone who needs to book a last-minute flight should consider looking for one that leaves early in the day

Traveling by road?

Those planning to drive can expect an increase in traffic. Check on traffic reports to find the shortest and safest route.

Consumer Affairs reporter Mark Huffman said, “There will be more traffic on the roads, leaving to more dangerous driving conditions, including speeding violations. The peak times for these violations were between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Interestingly, while the average number of speeding violations per site has gradually declined since 2021, the numbers remain alarmingly high.”

According to Yahoo, gas prices are looking to drop this Thanksgiving.

According to AAA, the national average price of a gallon of gas on Saturday is $3.08 per gallon, down $0.12 from a month ago and $0.29 lower than a year ago, according to AAA data.

The average gas price in Florida on Wednesday is $3.052 for regular gas, according to AAA. The average price of gas in Georgia is even lower at $2.931. both are lower than the national average of $3.084.

Checking your vehicle’s brakes, tires, battery, and oil before getting on the road will prevent your vehicle from breaking down.

If the vehicle does break down, make sure you have AAA or towing assistance. If necessary, add repair time to your attainment.