Preparing for Thanksgiving Travel: What to Expect

Get ready for a busy Thanksgiving travel season! Millions of people are hitting the roads and skies, making it one of the busiest times of the year. While airports aren’t quite back to pre-pandemic numbers, they’re still expecting a lot of passengers. Cars will be the main mode of transport, with over 71 million people driving this year. The worst times to travel by car are Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons before Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving Day itself, roads should be clear. Be sure to leave early on Sunday and Monday if you’re returning home. In the Bay Area, the Interstate 80 eastbound freeway from San Francisco to Sacramento is expected to be the most congested on November 26th around 7:30 p. m. , with a travel time of over three hours. Rain could also cause some delays, so be prepared for that. The California Highway Patrol will be monitoring weather conditions and adjusting patrols as needed. They advise drivers to slow down, increase following distance, and make sure their cars are ready for winter. Airports in the Bay Area are also getting ready. Oakland International Airport expects around 340, 000 passengers between November 22nd and December 1st. San Francisco International Airport is expecting even more, with over 6 million passengers between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Although San Jose International Airport didn’t give a specific number, they’re expecting a busy holiday season. Airport representatives encourage travelers to arrive early and check in with their airlines before coming to the airport. They also suggest reserving and paying for parking online to save some money.