Traffic Volume Is Projected High In PA Thanksgiving Weekend

SOUTHEASTERN PA —As gas prices are starting to drop and families are yearning to be together again, AAA predicts 54.6 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving.

That’s a 1.5% increase over 2021 and 98% of pre-pandemic volumes. This year is projected to be the third busiest for Thanksgiving travel since AAA started tracking in 2000.

“Families and friends are eager to spend time together this Thanksgiving, one of the busiest for travel in the past two decades,” said Paula Twidale, AAA’s Senior Vice President of Travel. “Plan ahead and pack your patience, whether you’re driving or flying.”

During the summer, locals were avoiding driving to shore destinations due to high costs of gas.

But this Thanksgiving, AAA predicts motorists will be hitting the roads again to visit loved ones regardless of the gas prices.

Gas prices along the Main Line are hovering around just under $4 a gallon for regular. Most travelers be driving to their destinations.

While Thanksgiving road trips have slightly risen – up 0.4% from 2021 – car travel remains 2.5% below 2019 levels.

Pennsylvania Turnpike officials expect Thanksgiving to be the busiest travel holiday of the year with 3.5 million motorists driving during the six-day period starting on Tuesday, Nov. 22 through Sunday, Nov. 27.

Tuesday and Wednesday of Thanksgiving week will be the heaviest travel days, so travelers should plan their trips in advance.

"We want all travelers to stay safe this holiday season," said Mark Compton, turnpike CEO. "Holiday activities can increase our levels of stress and fatigue, and this can contribute to distracted driving.

Other activities that take drivers' attention off the road, including talking or texting on cellphones, eating, turning your head to talk with passengers, and adjusting vehicle controls are major safety threats."

Compton warned motorists against driving tired.

Pandemic still looming

Although it seems as if the pandemic is nearly over, Chester County remains in the medium level, which means the county is averaging 55 new cases per 100,000 residents each week.

Delaware County is also in the medium range, which means new cases are estimated at 83 each week.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19 wear a mask and take precautions for 10 days.

If you test positive, the CDC recommends not traveling at all during the holiday weekend and improving ventilation at home.

There are the precautionary measures recommended:

• Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public.
• Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask.
• Do not travel.
• Stay home and separate from others as much as possible.
• Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
• Take steps to improve ventilation at home, if possible.
• Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
• Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
• Learn more about what to do if you have COVID-19.