PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Thanksgiving week is always one of the busiest times of year for travel, and this year is no exception.
AAA predicts that roughly 49 million Americans will hit the road and another 4.5 million will take to the skies, which would be just shy of pre-pandemic levels. Of those travelers, about 2.5 million will be in New England, according to AAA.
Below are some resources and information to help ease your trip:
Weather Forecast
12 News meteorologists say nearly ideal travel conditions are expected across the northeast and US through Thanksgiving day, followed by a few chances for rain after Thanksgiving.
Be sure to download the free Pinpoint Weather App to get customized weather reports and alert wherever you travel for Thanksgiving.
Road Travel
With millions of people expected to head for their Thanksgiving destination by car, here are the best and worst travel times, according to AAA:
| Date | Worst Travel Time | Best Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| 11/23 | 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Before 8 a.m., After 8 p.m. |
| 11/24 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Before 11 a.m., After 6 p.m. |
| 11/25 | 4 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Before 11 a.m., After 8 p.m. |
| 11/26 | 4 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Before 2 p.m., After 8 p.m. |
| 11/27 | 4 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Before 11 a.m., After 8 p.m. |
Air Travel
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says the three busiest days for air travel are the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after. Fliers are urged to arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and anticipate long lines at the TSA checkpoints.
To make your experience at the airport go as smoothly as possible, the TSA offered a number of travel tips, which include:
- Pack Smart: Make sure you don’t have any prohibited items and any liquids are in a checked bag.
- Bring Your ID: Make sure you have an acceptable form of identification ready to show.
- Ask TSA: Get your questions answered ahead of time by calling 866-289-9673 or contacting @TSA on Facebook Messenger or Twitter.
More air travel tips from the TSA »
Flight Tracker:
Other Forms of Travel
RIPTA is detouring six routes Thursday in Pawtucket to accommodate the Turkey Trot 5K.
For those looking to save on gas, Amtrak is another option for travel this Thanksgiving.
Pinpoint Weather 12 Links
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