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Traveling for Thanksgiving? Here's What You Need to Know.

Joshua Bousel

AAA projects more than 43 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday weekend.

The auto club’s prediction is down one and a half percent from Thanksgiving 2012, which was the highest travel volume in five years. But Greg Jenkins at AAASouth, in Tampa, says if this year’s numbers pan out, they would be the second-highest.
Ninety percent of travelers – just under 39 million – will do so by automobile, including 2.2 million from Florida. Just over three million travelers will take to the skies.

Traffic through Pensacola International Airport this week is expected to be heavy this week. The heaviest travel day is projected on Wednesday, and it will be busy for the return home over the weekend. Air travelers are urged to re-confirm their reservations 24 hours before their flight, and get to the airport a couple of hours beforehand.

Back on the ground, most drivers will pay the cheapest gas prices for the Thanksgiving holiday since 2010. The national average is 3.28 per gallon – 15 cents below last year's average. In Pensacola, self-serve regular also averages 3.28 a gallon – up eight cents from last week but two cents less than last year.
We’ll also be traveling a bit further on average for that holiday feast, going from 588 miles last year to 601 this year.

For those who overdo the holiday cheer, AAA once again offers its “Tow to Go” program. Call (855) 286-9246 and a tow truck will get you and your vehicle home safely. The service is free and available to both Triple-A members and non-members.