The LIE Will Be The Busiest Roadway In The Country Wednesday

GARDEN CITY, NY — Thanksgiving is more than turkey, football and floats. Another tradition is traveling to visit family and friends.

AAA is anticipating approaching pre-pandemic levels on the road and via air. The agency projects as many as 4 million people will take an airplane this long weekend.

Despite the rising gas prices, AAA spokesperson Robert Sinclair said it's not impacting drivers' plans.

The average price on Long Island is $3.55 per gallon for regular gas, AAA said.

"The percent [90] of those who are traveling by car is the highest I can remember for any holiday," Sinclair said.

He said overall travel for this holiday -- from Wednesday through Sunday -- is within five percent before COVID-19.

One highway that can expect a ton of traffic is the Long Island Expressway. An analysis by AAA has the Long Island Expressway eastbound from Borden Avenue to New Hyde Park Road, as the nation's busiest roadway this weekend from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

"It's going to see 482 percent higher traffic volume than normal," Sinclair said.

Most travelers return home on Sunday between 6 p.m. and midnight.

"My advice is to go home Wednesday night. Go to bed early and wake up super early Thanksgiving morning. If you leave at 6 a.m., 100 miles would take you two hours and probably won't see a lick of traffic," he said.

But, as always, when there are a huge amount of drivers on the road, mechanical problems increase. AAA anticipates 400,000 breakdowns for members nationwide.

"Folks better check their vehicles before they hit the road," Sinclair said.