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Whether you are traveling by car or plane, folks trying to get to their families before Thanksgiving can expect lots of traffic. There will be nearly 55 million people traveling over the Thanksgiving holiday, so make sure to plan ahead, according to AAA.
“Families and friends are eager to spend time together this Thanksgiving, one of the
busiest for travel in the past two decades,” AAA Vice President of Travel Paula Twidale said in a statement. “Plan ahead and pack your patience, whether you’re driving or flying.”
In general, traveling has increased since the onset of the pandemic, according to Missouri AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria.
“We are anticipating that the number of Thanksgiving travelers will be higher than last year by 1.5 percent,” Chabarria said.
If you want to try your best to avoid the rush of travelers so you can make it to the dinner table on time next week, here’s what to know.
What will the weather be like?
This weekend will be pretty cold, with a possibility for a single digit wind chill on Friday, Nov. 18, according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Hallie Bova. The weather will start to pick back up going into next week though.
Starting Monday, Nov. 21, the weather is expected to stay in the high 40s and low 50s. Monday and Tuesday will be mostly sunny while the rest of the week will see mostly cloudy skies.
On Thanksgiving day, there may be some precipitation, according to Bova. The weather on the holiday should be in the mid 40s for most of the area.
“It’s really important to remember the weather is not the same everywhere, so if you’re traveling out of state just be aware that it’s important to check the weather where you are going to be on Thanksgiving day,” Bova said.
People should continue checking the weather leading up to the holiday as well, since forecasts will become more accurate closer to Thanksgiving.
What if I’m flying this Thanksgiving?
If you are flying next week, you should note that the Kansas City International Airport is expected to see over 350,000 travelers between Nov. 18 and Nov. 28.
So, if you are one to show up 20 minutes before your flight, you might want to schedule a bit more time.
Airport officials are asking passengers to show up at least two hours before their designated departure time to make sure that they don’t miss their flight. If you are flying internationally, officials suggest arriving two and a half hours before your departure.
Airport parking lots will likely be at capacity, according to KCI, so consider getting dropped off by a friend or taking an Uber or Lyft to the airport.
Lastly, if you don’t fly often, passengers should be mindful of any roadway changes (like new roundabouts) at the airport when arriving.
And, note that parking restrictions at terminal curbs for passenger drop off and pick up will be strictly enforced, so coordinate ahead of time to make sure no cars need to idle on the terminal curb for too long.
If for some reason the person you are picking up from the airport is taking longer than expected, there is a cell phone lot at 680 Brasilia Ave. by the Kansas City Airport Marriott Hotel, and economy parking lots will also be free for up to two hours, according to KCI.
Can I bring any food home if I am traveling by air?
If you plan to bring some food to pass or plan to take home leftovers, be mindful of what you decide to pack and what TSA will accept.
Baked goods like pies, cookies, cake and brownies can be brought through the TSA checkpoints. Other foods like meats, casseroles, baked mac n’ cheese, fresh vegetables, fresh vegetables and spices can also pass through TSA checkpoints, according to a statement from the agency.
Other foods like canned sauces, jam, wine, champagne and syrups will need to be packed away in your checked luggage. To learn more about what you can and cannot travel with at the airport during Thanksgiving weekend, check here.
What if I’m traveling by car?
There will be over 950,000 people traveling by car in Missouri and more than 525,000 in Kansas, according to AAA. If you plan to be one of the 1.4 million plus drivers on the road in the Missouri and Kansas area, make sure to leave at the right time to avoid any major congestion.
AAA suggests that the best times to leave on Wednesday, Nov. 23 will be before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m. The worst times to leave that Wednesday will be between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
If you are driving at all on Thanksgiving day, try to head out before 11 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 25, 26 and 27, try to avoid traveling between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
On Friday, travelers should hit the roads before 11 a.m. and after 8 p.m. On Saturday, drivers should leave before 2 p.m. and after 8 p.m. and on Sunday, they should head out before 11 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
If you are traveling long distances, make sure to fill up the gas tank before leaving home. Missouri currently has the 10th lowest gas prices in the county. Kansas has the 12th lowest prices.
“Road trip travelers could see some of the lowest gas prices we’ve seen since February since the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” Chabarria said.
Also, beware that highways in Atlanta, Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles will be some of the most congested highways in the country.
In general, all road travelers should make sure to stay alert and watch the roads since there will be so many more people trying to get to their destination.
“There’s a lot of travel next week, so be careful and buckle,”said Linda Horn, spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Transportation.
