Monday, November 25, 2024 Holiday travel in the Boston area this Thanksgiving is set to hit record levels, with AAA Northeast projecting a surge in road and air travel. Compounding the usual holiday congestion, the possibility of a significant storm could further complicate travel plans in New England. According to AAA Northeast, Thanksgiving 2024 will see an estimated 71.
7 million Americans traveling by car , up by 1.3 million from 2023. This marks a record for Thanksgiving road trips, reflecting a broader trend of increased travel throughout the year.
Earlier holidays like Memorial Day and Fourth of July also experienced heightened traffic compared to previous years. Air travel is also expected to soar, with 2024 shaping up to be a banner year for holiday travel across all modes of transportation. For drivers, timing is key to avoiding the worst of Thanksgiving traffic.
Jillian Young, Director of Public Relations for AAA Northeast , advises that the lightest traffic will be on Thanksgiving Day itself , making it the best time to hit the road. A looming storm could disrupt Thanksgiving week travel in the Northeast. Drivers are urged to prepare their vehicles ahead of time , particularly if they may encounter inclement weather.
Young suggests checking wiper blades, headlights, and other essentials before hitting the road. “One of the things that you can do now, just in case you are going to be traveling in a storm, is check your wiper blades and headlights,” Young said. �.