MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Wisconsin is gearing up for its third highest Thanksgiving travel weekend in more than two decades.
AAA projects more than 1.1 million Wisconsinites will travel 50 miles or more during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. This year’s forecast is the third highest on record, with an expected 25,672 (2.4%) more holiday travelers than last year.
According to AAA:
- 961,163 Wisconsinites are projected to travel by vehicle
- 113,515 Wisconsinites are projected to travel by air
- 32,020 Wisconsinites will use other modes of transportation
Thankfully for drivers, road trips should be less costly than last year. Gas prices in November have averaged $3.14 in Wisconsin and have been steadily falling. This is less than last year at $3.58 per gallon.
AAA believes gas prices should remain low through the holiday season unless oil prices suddenly spike.
INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects Wednesday, November 22, to be the busiest day on the roads during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, with average travel times as high as 80% longer than normal in some metro areas. INRIX recommends leaving in the morning or after 6 p.m. to avoid the heaviest holiday congestion.
“The day before Thanksgiving is notoriously one of the most congested days on our roadways. Travelers should be prepared for long delays, especially in and around major metros,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Knowing when and where congestion will build can help minimize holiday traffic frustrations. We advise drivers to use traffic apps, local DOT notifications, and 511 services for real-time updates.”
Here are the best and worst times to travel for Thanksgiving:
Wednesday, Nov. 22
Best: Before 11 a.m.
Worst: 2 – 6 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 23
Best: Before 10 a.m., after 5 p.m.
Worst: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 24
Best: Before 11 a.m., after 7 p.m.
Worst: Noon to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 25
Best: Before noon
Worst: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 26
Best: Before noon
Worst: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Before setting out on your holiday road trip, AAA offers the following safety tips:
- Get a full vehicle inspection before setting out on your trip.
- Leave early and allow extra time to get to your destination, so you are not in a rush.
- Identify alternate routes in case you encounter congestion or road closures.
- Avoid distractions while driving. Program your GPS before your drive.
- Ensure everyone in the vehicle wears their seatbelt.
- Never drive impaired.
Additionally, air travel is expected to set a new record for Wisconsin.
AAA expects over 113,515 Wisconsinites to fly for Thanksgiving. That’s over 8,700 (8.3%) more than 2022, which had also been a record setting year.
Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving are the busiest air travel days ahead of the holiday and the most expensive. While Sunday is typically the busiest day to return home, AAA data shows Monday is also a popular day to fly back after Thanksgiving.
- The average price for a domestic flight is $681, up 5% from 2022.
- The average price for an international flight is $1,231, down 5.7% from last year.
When planning your holiday trip by air, AAA recommends the following:
- Check-in early online.
- Monitor your flight status using your air carrier’s mobile app.
- Arrive 2-3 hours before scheduled departure.
- Pack medications and an extra set of clothes in your carry-on bag, just in case your flight is delayed or cancelled.
Tips for Air Travelers who Have Not Booked their Flight Yet:
- Book a flight that leaves early in the day. Flights in the afternoon and evening are more susceptible to delays and cancellations.
- Book a direct flight. Otherwise, build in extra time between connections, in case your first flight is delayed.
- Consider traveling on Thanksgiving Day. This could offer the best combination of availability and price.
Meanwhile, the number of Wisconsinites traveling by cruise, bus, and train over Thanksgiving is up nearly 11% over last year. AAA expects nearly 30,000 travelers to head out of town using these other modes of transportation, which suffered a severe setback during the pandemic, but have rebounded nicely.
For hotels:
- The average price for a domestic hotel stay is $598, down 12% from 2022.
- The average price for an international hotel stay is $772, up 5% from last year.
For rental cars:
- The average price for a domestic rental car reservation is $590, down 20% from 2022.
- The average price for an international rental car reservation is $696, up 9% from last year.
For cruises:
- The average price for a domestic cruise is $1,507, down 12% compared to 2022.
- The average price for an international cruise is $2,902, up 24% from last year.
For tours:
- The average price for a domestic tour is $1,058, down 15% compared to 2022.
- The average price for an international tour is $1,208, up 21% from last year.
