As Thanksgiving approaches, the roads are expected to fill up, especially on Wednesday and Sunday, traditionally among the busiest travel days of the year.
In Illinois, this trend continues to grow. According to AAA spokesperson Molly Hart, “Over the last couple of years, we keep breaking the record, and yet again we did it.” This year, over 4.1 million Illinoisans are expected to travel during the Thanksgiving holiday, marking a 1.8% increase from the previous year.
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Given the anticipated traffic and the chilly weather, Hart advises travelers to be prepared. “Make sure you have that emergency kit,” she emphasized. “It should include your cell phone charger, jumper cables, and some extra warm clothes for everyone.”
AAA forecasts that the busiest period for car travel will occur between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. As many travelers opt to drive rather than fly, partly due to previous concerns over flight disruptions, airports have now largely bounced back following the government shutdown.
AAA predicts the peak travel time will be between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. – by car.
Many opted to drive to their destination over flight concerns, but airports have largely recovered from the government shutdown.
The weather is now a bigger issue for travelers with an Accuweather Alert for strong winds… and the Chicago area is expecting snow as people return from the holiday weekend.
“I’m visiting my son and daughter-in-law and Dwight, Illinois,” traveler Gregory Michalek said.
“I am currently headed to Kansas City to visit extended family,” traveler Anya Hess said. “I’m not able to go home to California, but Kansas City is just a train ride away.”
Driving leads the way for modes of transportation, but trains also a popular option.
Suitcases – seen rolling throughout Union Station Wednesday morning with people opting to take the train to their holiday plans.
“It’s a pretty good way to travel,” Michalek said. “You don’t have to go through all that rigmarole at the airports.”
Amtrak gearing up for more passengers, seeing about a 5% increase in ridership over recent years.
“Projection numbers: about 150,000 riders that go through these halls during the season. So Tuesday and Wednesday are busy,” Martin Sandoval with Amtrak And then Sunday, it’s where the peak begins and ends for most of these riders.”
Nationwide, AAA says 90% of all holiday travelers will *drive to their destination.
The Illinois Tollway is expecting the heaviest traffic Wednesday over the Thanksgiving holiday period.
