Thanksgiving Travel Tips

What are your plans for Thanksgiving? If you're travelling, you're in good company.

AAA projects that over 54 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more away from home this Thanksgiving, a 4.8% increase over last year.

And all those travelers have at least one thing to be thankful for this holiday season: low gas prices. The price for a gallon of gas has plummeted after hitting a four-year high of $2.90 per gallon in October, now sitting at $2.68 nationwide due to a significant drop in oil prices. That's a 22 cent drop in just a few weeks.

As more travelers kick off the holiday season with a Thanksgiving getaway, it's a good idea to be prepared. No one wants their vacation to end up like a scene from "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." Here are a few travel tips for a safe and fun trip for the whole family!

Plan ahead:

With so many people travelling, you'll want to avoid the heaviest traffic if possible. Most of the time, the best days to travel are Thanksgiving Day, Friday and Saturday. Try to get around travelling on Sunday, as most people will be returning home that day.

While the day before Thanksgiving is traditionally referred to as "the busiest travel day of the year," Tuesday is actually just as bad.

In Houston, Boston, Seattle, Atlanta and New York driving Tuesday night is actually the worst time to travel. Delays in these major metropolitan cities can increase your drive time 4 times over. Yikes! Maybe try a more scenic route to avoid city traffic if possible.

Save money:

Everyone wants to know how to get good deals when they travel. There are often cheap last-minute flights that become available, so be on the lookout for those. But also read the fine print: those too-good-to-be-true prices often mean you pay extra for everything from checked bags to seat selection.

If you do decide to fly, the cheapest tickets are often on Thanksgiving Day. The average price for a ticket on Turkey Day is $61 less than Wednesday. Plus it's less crowded at the airports. If you don't mind missing a bit of the Macy's Parade, this may be a good travel day for you.

If you'll be driving, let technology do the heavy lifting. You can use your mobile apps to find gas stations with the best prices wherever you travel. It can save you lot on a long trip!

Pack light, but smart:

After a long flight or drive, you don't want to lug around a giant suitcase. And you likely will only be gone a few days, so don't worry about bringing everything you can think of on your trip. Your back will thank you. You also won't have room to go crazy on Black Friday because your new stuff won't fit! So score one for thriftiness too.

While packing light makes a lot of sense, you shouldn't forget to bring entertainment: Download a new podcast, binge a new show, the possibilities are endless. And remember to charge your devices. No one needs the modern-day horror of a long drive with family and no phone or tablet to pass the time.

For peace of mind on the roads this Thanksgiving, you'll want to be prepared with a roadside first aid kit.

CPR Savers offers many roadside assistance kits that come equipped with materials to handle a holiday roadside emergency, The AAA Traveler Road Kit has everything you'll need, including a flashlight, batteries, emergency poncho, duct tape, screwdriver, and 45 pieces of first aid.

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