Packed Roadways For Holiday Weekend

AAA expects nearly six million to hit the state’s highways to gather with family this Thanksgiving.

More Californians will be traveling farther than 50 miles from home this holiday weekend than in the past nine years, which reflects a 3.1 percent bump from last year’s figures.  “This ongoing travel trend is spurred by improvements in the economy, increased consumer spending, and overall strength in consumer confidence,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “Californians are eager to travel and turn this four-day weekend into the most traveled holiday in the past nine years.”

The top mode of transportation in the state will be by car leading the way with more than 5 million, resulting in a 3.4 percent increase from 2015. The friendly skies will see a 1.6 percent boost in travelers from last year with more than 626,000 passengers, according to AAA. Over 192,000 travelers will use other types of transportation including boats or trains, representing a 1.1 percent increase from the previous year.

Due to the spike in roadway travel AAA has provided these tips for motorists:

• Have your vehicle inspected by a mechanic before making long-distance trips.
• Plan your trip in advance. Whether you’re using a GPS system or a traditional map, review your travel route and be prepared for busy roads.
• Let friends and family know your travel route and your anticipated arrival time.
• Have emergency contact information easily accessible, such as roadside assistance, relatives, and hotel phone numbers.
• Keep a cell phone and charger with you at all times.
• Be sure to have an emergency kit in your car with water and food, prescription medicines, blankets, and items unique to your family. In the event of an emergency, help may not be immediately available. By having an emergency kit in a vehicle, a person can survive until help arrives.
• Stay up to date on the latest local forecast at www.weather.gov or mobile.weather.gov.

Nationally, the number jumps to more than 48 million people traveling during the four-day weekend, a 1.9 percent hike compared to last year’s travel statistics. California also boasts two of the hottest destinations for Thanksgiving get-a-ways as found in the top five list below:

• Las Vegas, Nevada
• San Francisco, California
• San Diego, California
• Orlando, Florida
• New York City, New York