As family and friends prepare to gather around the table for Thanksgiving dinner, the roads or airways to get there will be bustling in a big way.

AAA – The Auto Club Group, predicts 53.4 million Americans to travel for Thanksgiving, a 13% increase from last year and within 5% of pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Travel in the Sunshine State is forecast to be within 2% of pre-pandemic levels and up 13% from last year, as AAA says 2.9 million Floridians will be on the move for the holiday.

“It’s beginning to look more like a normal holiday travel season, compared to what we saw last year,” said Debbie Haas, vice president of Travel for AAA in a release. “Now that U.S. borders are open, vaccinations are readily available, and new health and safety guidelines are in place, travel is once again high on the list for Americans who are ready to reunite with their loved ones for the holidays.”

AAA predicts there will be an 8% increase on the roads and a whopping 80% in the skies, as airports are now fully open for business.

“The re-opening of the U.S. borders to international travelers means airports will be even busier than we’ve recently seen, so travelers must plan for longer lines and extra time for TSA checks,” Haas continued.

AAA said the worst times to travel from Wednesday through Sunday is in the afternoon until the mid to late evening. The best times to travel are in the early morning hours, before noon.

“Thanksgiving is one of the busiest holidays for road trips and this year will be no different even during the pandemic,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst for INRIX in a statement. “Drivers around major metros must be prepared for significant delays, especially Wednesday afternoon. Knowing when and where congestion will build can help drivers avoid the stress of sitting in traffic.”

For the 48.3 million Americans hitting the road, AAA suggests making sure vehicles are ready for the trip ahead. AAA expects to respond to over 400,000 calls for help over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The most common calls are for dead batteries, flat tires, and lockouts. Before any long trip, AAA suggests getting an inspection to check key components like the battery, fuel system, tires, brakes and fluid levels. However, if your vehicle has been sitting idle these systems are particularly vulnerable to deteriorating especially without proper care or maintenance.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Florida Highway Patrol have roadway safety at the top of their holiday list with millions of Floridians and visitors expected to travel on the state’s roadways over the next two months. On Nov. 15, FLHSMV launched its Safe Holiday Travel campaign to ensure all road users “Arrive Alive” at their destination.

FLHSMV will be educating Floridians and visitors throughout the months of November and December on all aspects of safe driving. The multi-phased safety messaging will be staggered throughout the months, starting first with a focus on having a road-ready vehicle. Tires are a vehicle’s first line of defense on the road, so it’s critical to check your tires before hitting the road. Officials said that in 2020, there were 3,069 tire-related crashes in Florida, resulting in 184 serious bodily injuries and 61 fatalities.

“Safety is always in season, and what better gift to give your loved ones this holiday season than your safe arrival,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes in a release. “Florida continues to be a top holiday destination for visitors and residents, making our roads some of the busiest during the upcoming months. As traffic volume increases, FLHSMV urges travelers to be proactive when making their travel plans, and practice safe driving behaviors to ensure the safety of all.”

In November and December of 2020, there were 1,052 crashes involving alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both in Florida, and 5,442 DUI citations issued across the state.

“The Florida Highway Patrol encourages motorists to remain vigilant on Florida’s roadways in the upcoming weeks,” said Lt. Colonel Troy L. Thompson, acting director of the Florida Highway Patrol, in a statement. “As you travel Florida’s roadways this holiday season, remember, safety is always in season. We can all do our part to ensure all travelers ‘Arrive Alive’ by buckling up, slowing down, and never driving impaired.”

RSW

Lee County Port Authority officials are expecting a quite busy Thanksgiving holiday at RSW, and advise passengers to be in line at their security checkpoint at least two hours prior to their flight’s departure.

Officials said passengers must wear a mask while inside the airport terminal and rental car facility per a federal mask mandate for all airports and public transportation facilities.

“Understand any pandemic-related rules or restrictions for your final travel destination, as well as what is expected when you return home,” LCPA officials stated in a release. “Local policies on ways to contain the spread of the virus vary.”

Visit the Transportation Security Administration’s website at tsa.gov for tips about what you can and cannot bring through the security checkpoint.

For more airport information, visit flylcpa.com.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj