Thanksgiving Travel - What You Need to Know

If you're planning to travel for the extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend and you have not left yet, you are not alone. The Automobile Association of America estimates that Wednesday is the busiest travel day.

AAA says that most people leave Wednesday and return on Sunday. Nearly a quarter of travelers come back Monday or later.

They are predicting that nearly 50 million Americans overall will travel 50 miles or more from home for the holiday - an increase of nearly two percent over last year and the greatest number of travelers since 2007.

"More Americans will carve out time to visit family and friends for Thanksgiving than any year since 2007," says AAA Oregon/Idaho Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds. "Most will travel by car, enjoying an early holiday bonus of the second-cheapest gas prices in nearly a decade."

Doreen Loofburrow, Vice President of Travel Services for AAA Oregon/Idaho adds that: "With one million additional holiday travelers, this marks the eighth consecutive year of growth for Thanksgiving travel,.

"Travel by car, air, cruises, trains and buses are all showing increase compared to last year."

AAA says that in the Pacific Northwest, 86 percent of all travelers (6.8 million travelers or 12.7 percent of the population) will go by car, an increase of 2.1 percent compared to 2015.

"2016 will see the most travelers on the road since 2005. Car travel is again the number one mode for Thanksgiving because driving is often more affordable, more convenient and allows for greater flexibility," says Dodds.

Oregon State Police also want people to remember that in addition to regular holiday travel there are events - Black Friday and, on Saturday, the annual Civil War football game between Oregon and Oregon State - that will add congestion to the highways.

"OSP is urging motorists to plan ahead, expect heavy traffic, expect poor driving conditions with rain expected at lower elevations and snow in the mountain passes, and take your time (more traveling tips at the bottom of this release)," State Police Spokesman Captain Bill Fugate said. "Know the road conditions before traveling by going to www.tripchceck.com."

He also offers the following tips:

*Be prepared in the event you become stuck during your travels- Carry water, food, and blankets in the event you are stuck in your vehicle during your trip

*Get a designated driver (plan ahead) if you plan on consuming intoxicating substances.

*Put the distractions away. Pull over to use that handheld electronic device, ask as passenger to help or wait to arrive at your destination to use them.

*Watch your speed; often speeding will not get you to your destination any faster. You will fatigue faster, burn more fuel, and create a more hazardous environment on the highway.

"Be extra vigilant in highway work zones," says Fugate. "Even when workers are not present, all work zone speed limits still apply and fines double. Inactive work zones still have equipment, detours, and incomplete changes in the roadway so drivers need to slow down and be alert.

"Get rested before you travel. Fatigued drivers are more frequent during holiday weekends because of increased travel and activity. Be patient and allow plenty of time to reach your destination. Wear your safety belt. Ensure your passengers and children are properly restrained too. We see too many crashes were people would have walked away with minor in any injuries."

And for those traveling by air, expect your own set of challenges.

While PDX is undoubtedly a great airport - Travel + Leisure just named it the best airport in the United States for the fourth straight year - it doesn't mean it's immune from long lines. Around 52,000 people flew out of PDX on Tuesday and more than 60,000 are expected on Wednesday.

So, the airport wants you to know about several of the things that keeps them on the top of the charts and some tips to make your travel as painless as possible

* Give yourself plenty of time. Yes, this has become standard travel advice. Plan to arrive at least two hours before scheduled your departure. Travelers on international flights, or with children, or with disabilities or medical conditions that could impact travel, should arrive an additional 30 minutes before their flights. Really. Do yourself a favor and heed this (good!) advice. Why? Well, worst case, you miss your flight, need to be rebooked, incur additional costs, suffer countless inconveniences and maybe even miss that special holiday celebration. Best case? Your experience at PDX is pleasant, you breeze through security and find yourself with some spare time in which to enjoy all that the airport offers.

* “Winter Wanderland” offers a chance to win tickets to London. The airport’s new holiday theme, appearing throughout the terminal, celebrates the seasonal holidays and offers travelers a chance to win a travel certificate for two tickets on Delta Air Lines’ nonstop service to London’s Heathrow Airport, which begins May 26, 2017. Cheers, mate!

* PDX has a pet-relief area. Users howl with joy! Located on the south end of the Concourse Connector, this space allows a convenient post-security location for your four-legged friend. As a reminder, in the interest of pet safety and passenger comfort, non-service animals should remain in their carriers at all times while in the terminal.

* You’re in the clear to park it here. In life, it’s good to have choices. At PDX, you have plenty: nonstop flights, concessions and even parking. Between our valet service and short-term, long-term and economy lots, there’s enough space for all. Check parking availability online before coming to the airport. Electric vehicle charging stations are available in the PDX economy lot as well as the short-term parking garage. If you’re picking up travelers, use the free cell phone waiting area and coordinate with your family and friends when they arrive to avoid roadway congestion.

* Coffee connoisseurs have copious choices. Just like your 737 needs to refuel before flight, PDX travelers tend to top off the tank before leaving town. This summer, Stumptown Coffee opened just past the south security checkpoint. This fall, Peet’s Coffee & Tea opened on Concourse D and in bag claim; Portland Roasting opened just past the north security checkpoint and on Concourse C. Next week, Portland Roasting will open a location pre-security in the north ticket lobby and Starbucks will open two new airport locations before St. Nick comes to town. Competition is alive and well. Overkill? Nope. PDX travelers consume 6,250 cups of coffee before 8 a.m. every morning. Now that’s a lot of java!

* PDX is the first airport in the world with a spirits tasting room. Opening Nov. 21, House Spirits Distillery’s new facility on Concourse C will offer the company’s entire portfolio of spirits for sampling and purchase. Travelers can also shop at the eye-catching new Timberline Lodge store on Concourse D. By year’s end, Caper’s Farm-to-Table Market, Kenny & Zukes Delicatessen and Market, Vino Volo, and the remodeled Soundbalance and Made in Oregon stores on Concourse C will also open at PDX. There’s no shortage of shops if you’re in search of a holiday gift that offers a taste of Oregon.

* Leave your Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone at home. E.T. may have phoned home, but despite its name, we guarantee he didn’t do it using the Galaxy Note7. You are prohibited from transporting this recalled device on your person, in carry-on baggage, or in checked baggage on flights to, from, or within the United States. While nearly 85 percent of all recalled Galaxy Note7 devices have been replaced through Samsung’s exchange program, if you have one, it can’t fly. There are some other things that travelers still can’t take onboard, either. Review the TSA’s list of prohibited items to be sure you and your bags are ready to fly.

* The only thing constant is change. Philosophers will wax poetic with this one, but we are excited about changes ahead. PDXNext, a suite of major airport improvement projects that will continue providing awarding-winning comfort and convenience for travelers, operational efficiency, and safety and security, is underway. The airport anticipates opening new security exit lanes soon. Mid-December should see the opening of a Children’s Play Area on Concourse D. Construction for the Concourse E expansion should get underway this summer as the Terminal Balancing project revs up. New shops and restaurants join redesigned and enhanced spaces in the terminal, and the long-awaited opening of the Hollywood Theater @PDX should take place after the first of the year (for reel).

Graphics via AAA