Traveling can be stressful, and traveling before a major holiday even more so. According to AAA, an estimated 54.3 million Americans will travel 50 or more miles this Thanksgiving, a 4.8 percent increase over last year.
“The 2018 holiday weekend will see the highest Thanksgiving travel volume in more than a dozen years (since 2005), with 2.5 million more people taking to the nation’s roads, skies, rails and waterways compared with last year. ” reads a press release from AAA.
The Thanksgiving holiday period is defined as Wednesday, November 21 to Sunday, November 25.
Whether you plan to drive or fly, here are some tips to help make your travel go smoothly.
On the Road:
- Bring your vehicle to the shop before you leave. It’s important to have your oil changed, tire treads and brakes inspected, and fluids, batteries and filters checked. The last thing you want is to have car trouble on your way to grandma’s house.
- Keep jumper cables, a tire pressure gage and a jack in your car just in case, along with a flashlight. According to safercar.gov, other items in your emergency roadside kit should include: first aid kit, flares and a white flag, work gloves and a change of clothes, basic repair tools and some duct tape (for temporarily repairing a hose leak!); water and paper towels for cleaning up, nonperishable food, drinking water, and medicines; extra windshield washer fluid, maps, emergency blankets, towels and coats.
- Make sure to know the weather conditions along the route you will be taking to your destination, and update yourself on those conditions along the way.
- Avoid traveling during the busiest traffic times, such as rush hour.
- Helpful APPS: Download the Gas Buddy app that will locate cheap gas near you. iExit shows upcoming gas stations, restaurants and grocery stores along your route.
- If you have children, make sure you pack plenty of snacks, drinks, videos, books and car-friendly games for your journey. Click for road games from Parents Magazine, and travel-specific games from minitime.com.
In the Air:
- Arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to your flight.
- Go to the line to the left at security — because most people are right-handed they usually opt for the right lane.
- Wear shoes that you can easily take on and off to help you get through security quickly. Avoid wearing big belt buckles (metal objects) or carrying anything liquid (i.e. shampoo, hand sanitizer) in containers larger than 3.4 oz or that will slow you down at security.
- Make sure you can access your laptop easily to get it through security — remember — it needs to be put into its own bin.
- If you want to sleep on the airplane, bring your own neck roll, earplugs and a small blanket to help you catch some Z’s. Purchase a bottle of water after you get through security — it will help keep you hydrated in the dry cabin air.
- Helpful APPS: If you have extra time or are delayed, the app, LoungeBuddy will help you locate pay as you go and free lounges in airports worldwide. Also XpresSpa’s app provides spa treatments at 50 locations at 22 major airports on two continents. An aesthetician will meet you at your gate and escort you to their airport spa. What a great way to spend some extra time!
- Bring plenty of patience. Millions of people will be traveling this Thanksgiving, so take a deep breath and try to go with the flow.
This information is brought to you by Infiniti of Cool Springs, offering a variety of stylish New and Pre-owned vehicles at its Cool Springs location that will help keep your family comfortable and safe. Visit their showroom in person or see their vehicles online. Call today to make an appointment, 888-356-6427.
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