Get ready for one of the busiest travel seasons in this new Thanksgiving memory.
The American Car Association predicts that nearly 51 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more this year between Wednesday, November 22 and Sunday, November 26 on planes, trains, and cars.
That would increase 3.3 percent from last year's total and the heaviest volume since 2005.
This, despite just soaring gas prices.
"I am always reminded of the fact that Americans get the least amount of vacation from all workers in the industrial world," said Robert Sinclair, spokesman for AAA Northeast.
When we get a chance to get out and go, we make the most of it.
Things that must be really bad, like at the end of 2008, for a reduction to be done.
Here's what to know if you're on this Thanksgiving trip.
Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Forecast on The Road for 2017
Although the price of gasoline has not been as high as it is since 2014 - $ 2.56 per gallon nationally, $ 2.86 per gallon in Westchester and $ 2.93 per gallon in Rockland - 45.5 million Americans will still stay on the road this year, up 2.3 percent from a year ago, according to AAA.
AAA links it to a strong economy and increased revenue.
Drivers accounted for most of those who travel this Thanksgiving, 89 percent of all travelers, AAA says.
This year, AAA collaborated with INRIX to predict when congestion will be the worst.
This year, the association says that the busiest travel time is Tuesday before Thanksgiving between 5:30 and 6:30 pm.
Waze (Traffic App) estimates the worst time to travel:
- Tuesday between 4 and 6 pm
- Wednesday between 3 and 5 pm
- Thanksgiving day between noon and 2 noon; Friday between 2 and 4 pm
- Saturday between 2 and 5 pm
- Sunday between 4 and 6 o'clock
Driving gives you the freedom to travel, you can travel on your own schedule and when you arrive at your destination, you do not have to rent a car.
For that reason and many others, driving is always the most popular way to achieve goals.
Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Forecast on The Rails for 2017
Metro-North moves some trains around and will adjust the schedule to accommodate travelers who vacation.
In Wednesdays, early train trains will start from Grand Central Terminal at around 1 pm.
At night, as the number of passengers decreases, some trains may be canceled or combined.
On Thanksgiving Day, trains will operate on a modified weekend schedule, with an additional train for those who head to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.
Metro-North will offer an outbound railroad and an additional night for buyers heading to town for annual Black Friday sales. Otherwise, it will operate on Saturday schedule.
Trains Saturday and Sunday will operate on regular weekend schedules, with additional trains for shoppers.
Commuting app Clever Commute advises travelers to get tickets early and warns that at 1:15 pm.
New York area terminals such as Grand Central and Penn Station will be crowded until around 7 pm.
Thanksgiving Holiday Air Travel Forecast for 2017
Thanksgiving is one of the worst times of the year to fly, and this year will not be any different.
AAA expects, with the cheapest airline ticket since 2013, 4 million will air.
The worst days of flying are Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Sundays thereafter.
And a trip to the local airport can be frustrating: INRIX-AAA data shows a trip to John F. Kennedy International Airport via the Long Island Expressway can take almost two hours from downtown Manhattan.
Westchester County Airport will be open, even in bad weather.
Check with your airline to see if your flight has been canceled or delayed.
As always, arrive early in order to get through the security and take into account the heavier vehicle traffic around the airport.
RewardExpert analyzed data from the Department of Transportation published by the Transportation Statistics Bureau over the past five years to give travelers a better idea of where and when the most reported delays, and which airlines are most likely to get you to your destination on time.
Leave on Saturday before the big day
If you can leave early and stay for a while, chances are you will experience a delay on Saturday before the holidays.
Do not think about Sundays, though: You will experience the highest flight delay rate before the holidays if you travel that day.
Waiting until the last minute paid off
Data analysis showed The World's Best Budget Airlines with The Lowest Delayed Flight Rate on Thanksgiving Day.
It makes sense if you think about it - nobody wants to take a real vacation trip.
Airlines should fill the seats somehow; That's why they offer discounts.
The same goes for every holiday, including Christmas.
Do not fly on Tuesday before Thanksgiving
The second worst day to fly is Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
Surprisingly, the data shows that you are more likely to arrive on time if you wait until Wednesday.
Over the past five years, an average of 84.9 percent of all flights on Thanksgiving Night has been on time.
Skip the city early in Black Friday
When returning home, it's good to jump the city at the beginning of Black Friday.
You will have the best chance of avoiding delays.
Otherwise, if you do not catch a flight on Saturday, you can expect a heavy delay starting on Sunday, which will get worse before they get better.
Do not return Monday or Tuesday after the holidays
Last year, Monday after Thanksgiving was the worst day to fly back.
This year, Tuesday is likely to be just as bad, if not worse. Throw a coin.
Either way, you'll be spending a lot of time at the airport or on the road. Get ready and stay calm.
Most budget operators are upgraded
The Southwest and Frontier operator budgets showed the biggest improvement last year, reducing the respective delays by 1.9 percent and 0.85 percent respectively.
JetBlue reported the largest increase in delayed arrivals and arrivals, which increased by 5.7 percent.
While Southwest reported on-time performance last year behind United, the average on-time rate is still lagging behind.
You may be more fortunate to reach your destination on time with airlines this year, but do not count on it.
The main airlines may not be the right choice
Two major airlines reported a slight increase in flights delayed during Thanksgiving last years, with only American Airlines reporting improvements on arrival and on-time departures.
Delta still outperformed United and America by about 5 percent, with 88.3 percent timely flights, compared with 82.9 percent for United and 82.8 percent for the United States.
Do not fly to Newark or San Francisco International
Bad news for New Jersey and NYC-metro travelers: Delay increased sharply at Newark Liberty International Airport last year, affecting more than a quarter of all flights on the last Thanksgiving.
Newark now occupies the second position for the worst performance record time behind the tense San Francisco International Airport.
Absolutely best to go to Hawaii
Hawaiian Airlines continues to have the best current performance record, despite rising 3.8 hours on the last Thanksgiving, with 90.9 percent of flights departing or arriving on time.
With an average on-time rate of 93.9 percent, Hawaiian Airlines stands out at the top of the package. Honolulu Airport is also at the top of the best airport rankings for timely performance.
Fly to this airport, if possible
After the airport in Honolulu, the best-performing airport on time flight is Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, Charlotte Douglas International
Airport, Southwest Florida International Airport, and Salt Lake City International Airport.
Their best day is November 23 or 24, with the worst dates from November 26 to 28 for most of them.
