Nearly 4.5 million North Carolinians expected to travel for Thanksgiving: Tips to avoid delays

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) — Nearly 4.5 million North Carolina residents are expected to fly or drive at least 50 miles for Thanksgiving, Nov. 25 -Dec. 1, with more than 2 million hitting the road, according to AAA projections.

Wednesday is expected to be the busiest travel day of the year, with most congestion occurring from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Traffic is predicted to peak between 3 and 5 p.m., when holiday travelers mix with rush hour traffic.

“It’s gonna take you longer to do a trip than you normally would when you’re talking about a busy holiday weekend, especially the busiest holiday weekend of the year when we’re talking about Thanksgiving. I think that has a lot to do with people not planning ahead,” said Wright, an AAA spokesperson.

Travel experts recommend leaving as early as possible, with Thanksgiving Day being the best time to drive because most travelers will already be at their destination.

For return trips, travelers should avoid Sunday if possible, as it’s traditionally the busiest travel day of the year. Monday offers better travel conditions for those who can wait.

AAA says the two biggest issues drivers face during holidays are dead batteries and flat tires, which can lead to headaches down the road.

“Not everybody has the time to get a full inspection, I mean that’s what we would love every motorist to do. We understand that’s not practical, but number one make sure your car is in the best optimal working condition,” Wright said.

The organization recommends creating a simple checklist before hitting the road, including checking tires, fluids and battery levels.