MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Travel industry experts are predicting the busiest Thanksgiving travel holiday ever with 80 million people traveling more than 50 miles over the weekend.
AAA spokesman Jim Garrity said many are planning to take a trip, and many will take the entire week off, giving them more time to travel further distances. Gas prices have continued to fall since the winter blend went into use, giving families another reason to take a trip to spend time with family and friends.
“There’s definitely enthusiasm to get back and see people that maybe you haven’t seen for a few years and get back to making those memories,” Garrity said. “It’s exciting for us to see at AAA; we just want everyone to make sure they’re taking the precautions they need to to keep the people around them on the road safe.”
Garrity said lockouts, tires and battery problems account for most calls for help from their members. The battery can be the weak link and should be tested if it’s two years or older.
“Get your battery tested before going on a long drive,” Garrity said. “People think it’s winter that hurts a battery, but it’s the summer sun that does the damage to the battery.”
Leaving early can be the simplest way to make sure your trip is incident-free. Allowing extra time and checking your car out before you leave eliminates the anxiety of possibly being late or having a car problem.
“You’re putting yourself in a mindset where you’re not going to be stressing out behind the wheel,” Garrity said. “When that stress kicks in because you’re running late is when we see people make dangerous decisions like speeding or tailgating.”
Garrity urges motorists to pack as if you are going to have a problem. Pack things to help you and your family stay warm and out of the elements in the event of a breakdown.
“Make sure you’re also packing accordingly and you’re preparing in case you and your entire family have to be stranded along the roadside,” Garrity said. “Something you hope you never have to use, but you’ll be happy if you have it.”
Garrity said many people are opting to start a new tradition, like taking a cruise and getting out of the fall-winter weather cycle. Depending on the cruise, guests can expect a full Thanksgiving dinner without any of the preparation or cleanup.
“We see people opting for new Thanksgiving traditions,” Garrity said. “We have people that want to try something new, and believe it or not, a cruise ship is not a terrible place to celebrate Thanksgiving.”