The holiday travel season is here, and this year, Thanksgiving travel is poised to break records.

According to AAA, nearly 80 million Americans are expected to travel nationwide this week, including approximately 4.5 million Floridians.

“There’s going to be a lot of people out there on the roadways leading up to Thanksgiving and, of course, on the way back home. Please make sure you’re practicing your patience, allow extra space, and be courteous to others. Those in a rush often take unnecessary risks behind the wheel, which can lead to crashes,” said AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins.

The AAA holiday travel period lasts seven days, and while roads may be busy starting today, the worst congestion is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday, between 1 and 5 p.m.

READ: DOT’s New Automatic Refund Rule Takes Effect for Holiday Travel Season

To avoid additional delays, experts recommend taking necessary precautions before hitting the road—check your tires, brakes, and battery to ensure you’re not caught off guard by common issues like flat tires or dead batteries.

“The top three reasons we get calls for stranded motorists are dead batteries, flat tires, and lockouts,” Jenkins explained. “Two of those three things could be offset if you just have your vehicle inspected before you hit the road. Tires are a big concern. A lot of people don’t typically check their tires on a routine basis.”

“Well, usually now we see double the amount of traffic in the car care facility. We average about 25 cars a day. Now we’re seeing about 50 cars a day, just to make sure that they come and get their car checked out before they go on their trips,” said Dan Maroni, a AAA facility manager.

READ: This Is How Much the Average Tampa Bay Household Will Spend for the Holidays

If you’re flying instead of driving, prepare for crowded airports as well. Nearly 6 million people are expected to take to the skies this week across the U.S.

No matter how you’re traveling this Thanksgiving, one thing is certain: roads and airports will be packed, so stay patient and alert.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Google, & X

(Image credit: Nicole Abbett)