AAA predicts decrease in Thanksgiving travel for first time in 12 years

Tens of millions of Americans are expected to travel for Thanksgiving despite calls for limited gatherings this holiday. If you are hitting the road, officials have some tips they want you to know. >> Download the FREE WMUR appWednesday will be the busiest day on the roads with almost all the holiday travel expected to be by car. AAA predicts 50 million Americans will travel for Thanksgiving. That would be a 10% reduction from last year, but it will likely be even fewer people, as that projection was made last month before spikes in COVID-19 cases and additional travel restrictions.“First time we’ve seen a reduction in overall travel for Thanksgiving year over year since 2008,” said Pat Moody from AAA Northern New England. Trips are expected to be shorter and closer to home. Moody said mitigating risk should be the focus of any travel. “It’s important to really follow the guidelines and do our best to stay safe during these challenging times,” Moody said.On the bright side this year, gas prices are lower than they have been in years.“New Hampshire statewide average for self-serve regular is right around $2,” Moody said. “It’s about 50 cents less than what it was this time last year.”State police will step up patrols this holiday, officers urge everyone, do not drive impaired or distracted and wear a seat belt. “We were shocked this year to find that 70% of our fatalities have been a result of ejection,” Capt. William Haynes with New Hampshire State Police said. Despite the expected decrease in drivers, state police will be prepared for the usual numbers of travelers and say this holiday weekend leads to more issues on the roads than any other.“Although we would sometimes think that New Years and Christmas are our busiest holidays, that’s proved to be incorrect,” Haynes said. “It’s Thanksgiving holiday beginning tomorrow night going through Monday.”Traffic at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport was down about 60% compared to a year ago. Airport Director Ted Kitchens said there have been other changes because of the pandemic.”It’s amazing how people have shifted their holiday travel,” he said. “It used to be that Wednesday was bad, the Tuesdays and Wednesdays before Thanksgiving, but it’s been a little more spread out this year.”Those in the airport terminal are being required to wear a mask when they are unable to socially distance. Kitchens said that in anticipation of more passengers, the airport is taking other steps to keep people safe.”The team is stepping up on hand sanitizers and our disinfecting protocols, but all the social distancing markers have been in place for eight months now,” he said.Expect plenty of company on the roads on Wednesday. AAA projected 2.2 million New Englanders to travel for Thanksgiving, with peak congestion around 3 p.m.

HOOKSETT, N.H. —

Tens of millions of Americans are expected to travel for Thanksgiving despite calls for limited gatherings this holiday. If you are hitting the road, officials have some tips they want you to know.

>> Download the FREE WMUR app

Wednesday will be the busiest day on the roads with almost all the holiday travel expected to be by car. AAA predicts 50 million Americans will travel for Thanksgiving. That would be a 10% reduction from last year, but it will likely be even fewer people, as that projection was made last month before spikes in COVID-19 cases and additional travel restrictions.

“First time we’ve seen a reduction in overall travel for Thanksgiving year over year since 2008,” said Pat Moody from AAA Northern New England.

Trips are expected to be shorter and closer to home. Moody said mitigating risk should be the focus of any travel.

“It’s important to really follow the guidelines and do our best to stay safe during these challenging times,” Moody said.

On the bright side this year, gas prices are lower than they have been in years.

“New Hampshire statewide average for self-serve regular is right around $2,” Moody said. “It’s about 50 cents less than what it was this time last year.”

State police will step up patrols this holiday, officers urge everyone, do not drive impaired or distracted and wear a seat belt.

“We were shocked this year to find that 70% of our fatalities have been a result of ejection,” Capt. William Haynes with New Hampshire State Police said.

Despite the expected decrease in drivers, state police will be prepared for the usual numbers of travelers and say this holiday weekend leads to more issues on the roads than any other.

“Although we would sometimes think that New Years and Christmas are our busiest holidays, that’s proved to be incorrect,” Haynes said. “It’s Thanksgiving holiday beginning tomorrow night going through Monday.”

Traffic at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport was down about 60% compared to a year ago. Airport Director Ted Kitchens said there have been other changes because of the pandemic.

“It’s amazing how people have shifted their holiday travel,” he said. “It used to be that Wednesday was bad, the Tuesdays and Wednesdays before Thanksgiving, but it’s been a little more spread out this year.”

Those in the airport terminal are being required to wear a mask when they are unable to socially distance. Kitchens said that in anticipation of more passengers, the airport is taking other steps to keep people safe.

“The team is stepping up on hand sanitizers and our disinfecting protocols, but all the social distancing markers have been in place for eight months now,” he said.

Expect plenty of company on the roads on Wednesday. AAA projected 2.2 million New Englanders to travel for Thanksgiving, with peak congestion around 3 p.m.