MAINE, USA — With more than 55 million Americans expected to travel for Thanksgiving this year, experts are laying out predictions to help plan a stress-free holiday.
AAA of Northern New England predicts a rush of 2.5 million New Englanders aiming to head home for holidays this week. ,
"[People are traveling] from Wednesday to Sunday, so we really are trying to get out the message that we want drivers to be safe," Dan Goodman of AAA Northern New England said.
With a decrease in gas prices in Maine compared to last year, paired with an increase in ticket prices of other transportation, Goodman says many Mainers will be wrestling the family into the car this year.
Goodman recommends making sure your car is ready for winter before hitting the pavement, with good tire traction, a safety kit and warm blankets for low temps.
"We usually see an increase in crashes during those first couple of storms. People haven't properly inflated their tires; they haven't gotten their car really ready for the winter," Goodman said.
With more than 300,000 people expected to take to the skies this Thanksgiving, flyers should remember not all flights are guaranteed according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Checking in with your airline's policy before a cancellation may help if the unexpected happens.
"Just recognize everyone's trying to get you to your final destination, pack some patience and arrive ahead of time," Zachary Sundquist, assistant airport director at Portland International Jetport said.
If a scenic ride is more your style, Amtrak's Downeaster line will be running a regular schedule with the exception of four instead of five round trips on Turkey Day.
"We've had record breaking ridership for the past several months, so everybody's gearing up to be busy," Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority Executive Director Patricia Quinn said.
Although many have been good at booking ahead, Quinn reminds to schedule your ticket a couple of days before you travel to avoid any booked-up trains day-of.