GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Experts are warning Wisconsin travelers that they’ll see more cars on the road this Thanksgiving holiday.
Nick Jarmusz with AAA says they’re expecting a five percent increase in travelers state-wide for the holiday and most of that increase will be on the roads.
“Right here in Wisconsin were expecting very close to a million people will be making a trip of 50 miles or more from home at some point during that holiday period,” he explains.
He says a steady economy and low-unemployment is driving the increase.
“People will travel and want to travel if they have the means to do it,” says Jarmusz.
All that traffic means congested highways, especially on a couple of busy days.
Jarmusz says a couple of factors will make the day before Thanksgiving the busiest travel day of the week.
“You’re going to have a mix of folks who are getting that early start and hitting the roads for their travel mixing in with those who are still doing their daily commute,” he explains.
Another busy day will be Sunday when most people are returning from trips prior to the start of the work week.
If possible, AAA recommends traveling on Thanksgiving Day, Friday, or Saturday to avoid heavy traffic.
The good news for those embarking on longer trips is that gas prices have taken a steep hit just recently.
“Probably about a 30-cent decrease from where we were just this time last month,” says Jarmusz.
He says that won’t have much of an effect on the number of people taking to the road, but should lighten the financial impact on traveling parties.
Congestion for air travel should mirror similar trends to road traffic, according to AAA.
Expect moderate crowds on Monday, heavy traffic on both Tuesday and Wednesday, and then relatively light crowds on Thanksgiving Day.
Additionally, last-minute flight availability is expected to be very limited.
