This year more people are observing the tradition of traveling on Thanksgiving than did last year.
About 36 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home for Thanksgiving -- a 2.4 percent increase from last year's numbers, according to a survey by AAA.
Of those travelers, 86 percent plan to go by car, and 13 percent plan to travel by air.
"There's no concern about gas prices -- people are going to travel," said Curt Almlie, director of public affairs for AAA North Dakota.
And the forecast, at least in the Fargo-Moorhead area, shows the weather should accommodate travelers' plans. The National Weather Service forecast for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday predicts partly cloudy weather, with high temperatures in the upper 20s and lows of about 19 degrees.
ADVERTISEMENT
As an added bonus for drivers, gas prices have been slowly declining during the past eight weeks, Almlie said.
But the current national average -- $1.50 per gallon for unleaded gas -- is 8 cents higher than it was a year ago, according to the automobile association.
Fuel supplies are up and demand is down because travel has been slow since Labor Day, Almlie said.
With crude oil prices having increased in recent weeks and holiday travelers driving up demand, prices may go up soon, he said.
"It's hard to predict -- as of right now I don't know if we'll see a spike," he said.
Airplane fares also have risen, up 8 percent to 15 percent compared with last year's Thanksgiving weekend, according to USA Today.
There is some good news for air travelers, however. Between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, airlines will offer 1 million more seats than they did last year during the holiday season, according to independent flight tracker OAG.
Nonetheless, airline passengers should arrive at airports early and plan for a long wait. The Transportation Security Administration, which controls airport security nationwide, has cut 7,600 passenger and baggage screener jobs since the beginning of the year.
ADVERTISEMENT
That may mean longer lines to get past security in some airports, Stephen McHale, the administration's deputy administrator told a Senate committee earlier this month.
Northwest Airlines passengers should arrive at the airport 90 minutes before international flights and 75 minutes before domestic flights, said spokeswoman Mary Stanick.
To speed up passage through security checkpoints, travelers should put all metal items in carry-on bags, take laptop computers out of their cases and remove their coats while in line, the Transportation Security Administration recommends.
People planning to fly during the holiday season should try to avoid Friday afternoon and Sunday flights, when schedules are packed, OAG says.
And since airline food offerings have dwindled mostly to pretzels and sandwiches, the flight tracker also advises packing a bag lunch.
Anyone wanting to replicate what the Pilgrims probably ate that first Thanksgiving should pack a little wild turkey, venison, nuts, plums and grapes. Just remember not to use a fork.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Joy Anderson at (701) 241-5556
