In the News: Thanksgiving Travel: What to Expect

Cold air will be less intense and much less widespread across the nation during the week of Thanksgiving, but there will still be a few travel trouble spots including areas of winter-like conditions and rain-related issues.

According to AAA, 43.4 million people are predicted to travel 50 miles or more from home for Thanksgiving. Ninety percent of the projected Thanksgiving travelers will drive. The total number of travelers is the greatest since 2007, according to AAA, with low fuel prices having a positive impact on travel by vehicle.

Arctic cold will release its grip over much of the nation by the time millions hit the roads and the skies during the busiest week for travel of the year.

However, while the warmest weather will be in the traditional areas of Hawaii, South Florida and Southern California, early-week travelers may encounter some weather-related problems departing their location and a few may find some rain when they arrive.

A storm is forecast to bring rain to most areas east of the Mississippi River Sunday into Monday. The rain could be drenching enough at times to slow travel for a time in Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta and the Interstate-95 cities in the Northeast. Where deep snow remains on the ground, near the Great Lakes, urban flooding problems may occur. Severe thunderstorms and localized flooding may also occur in parts of the South.

It's commonsense to arrive at the airport early, you'll need the time for parking, security and to wait your turn for that necessary cup of coffee. But you can avoid some airport hassles by taking advantage of useful applications that can be used on your smart phone. iPhone users can get info on the airport, including maps showing the gates and restaurant information, using the GateGuru app. Airlines including Southwest, Delta and American Airlines all have mobile websites where passengers can check in, confirm seats and keep track of their flight status. 

While you certainly save money and avoid some headaches traveling by land, navigating the highways presents its own set of holiday challenges during the extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Traffic can choke heavily traveled routes, like the I-95 corridor on the East Coast, adding hours to generally speedy trips. Follow the same best practices for road travel, including avoiding the highways on the Wednesday before turkey day and the following Sunday. 

Plan your route ahead of time and travel with a GPS system, smart phone or old-school maps to offer alternatives if you need a Plan B. And to avoid unnecessary delays, bring along an E-ZPass or change for the tolls, as well as plenty of snacks, and be sure to fill up on gas before you hit the road. Also brush up on tips to handle hazardous road conditions during icy or stormy weather. 

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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