For many Americans, Thanksgiving is not only a holiday that is filled with delicious food and great company, but a very stressful time to travel. So before all of the Thanksgiving festivities can start, you’ll need to make your travel plans. From packing, figuring out when is the best time to leave, and actually getting on the road with every other person trying to arrive to their turkey dinner on time, this wonderful holiday can leave you feeling stressed rather than full from turkey. Since we would all rather enjoy pumpkin pie than be stuck in awful traffic, here are a few tips to help you save your sanity if you are traveling this Thanksgiving.
- Take Care of your Car Before Turkey Day- From filling up the gas tank early to making sure everything is running smoothly in your car, take the time before the holiday rush to make sure your car is ready to hit the open road. When you don’t have to stop for gas and wait in busy lines or worry that your car needs serviced on Turkey Day, you’ll be glad you were prepared.
- Be flexible with your Travel Days- While no one wants to be stuck in holiday traffic or long lines at the airport or train station, it seems that is par for the course when it comes to holiday travel-but it doesn’t have to be. If you are hitting the roads for Thanksgiving, try traveling on a day that will be a little less crazy. Most people travel on Wednesday-the heaviest traffic is Wednesday after work- so if you can leave the Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving or even Thanksgiving morning, you are less likely to hit the major holiday rush. The same goes for the days you are returning. Most people head home on Saturday. If you can travel on Friday or Sunday, you are less likely to hit the majority of the traffic. You will still have some traffic, but you will miss the heaviest times.
