Travel experts are forecasting a record-setting number of Floridians to travel during the Thanksgiving holiday period, from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2.

According to AAA – The Auto Club Group, more than 4.5 million Sunshine State residents are expected to travel 50 miles or more of the holiday — an all-time high for the holiday and nearly 112,000 more than last year.

Travel numbers are up nationwide as well, as AAA expects another new record with an estimated 79.9 million travelers over Thanksgiving, a 2% growth from the previous record set in 2023.

“We expect to see record travel numbers across the board,” said Debbie Haas, vice president of Travel for AAA, in a release. “With more people taking to the roads, skies, rails, and sea; travelers should expect congested roads and longer lines at transportation terminals. AAA encourages travelers to develop their plan now and consider travel insurance, which provides compensation for flight cancellations, delays, and lost luggage.”

Experts state these record-setting traveler numbers are being driven by economic growth, declining inflation, and strong income gains, which is expected to boost consumer spending by 4.6% compared to this time last year.

As for how people will travel, AAA predicts automobile travel will set records both in Florida and across the county. AAA expects more than 4.1 million Floridians to take a road trip over the holiday, more than 100,000 than last year’s record.

Air travel is also predicted to set a new record, as nationally, AAA is projecting 5.84 million to fly domestically, an increase of 2% from last year and a nearly 11% increase over 2019.

Other modes of transportation increased 9% from last year, according to experts. AAA officials stated that nationally, nearly 2.3 million people are expected to travel by various transportation methods including buses, cruises, and trains. This category is seeing an 18% jump over 2019, in large part due to the popularity of cruising.

“The demand for cruises has been red-hot this year,” Haas continued. “Domestic and international cruise bookings are up 20% compared to last Thanksgiving. As new ocean and river cruising options have been introduced, more travelers are discovering the value and joy of cruising.”

So, when is the best time to hit the road? According to INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, the worst time to travel by car will be Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving. The best time to hit the road will be Thanksgiving Day itself. INRIX experts stated that drivers returning home on Sunday should leave early in the morning, and those coming back on Monday should expect a mix of travelers and work commuters on the road.

“With a record number of travelers expected to be on the road, drivers should follow traffic apps and local news alerts to avoid major delays,” stated Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “This is especially important for drivers in metropolitan areas like Boston, New York, LA, Seattle, and Washington, DC, where traffic is expected to be more than double what it typically is on a normal day.”

Florida is home to four of the top-10 travel destinations for Thanksgiving, which include Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa.

With more people sharing the roads, the danger is multiplied for those on the roadside, experts said. AAA reminds motorists to slow down and move over for first responders, tow trucks, and any motorist with a disabled vehicle on the side of the road.

“We want to make sure all holiday travelers, tow truck drivers and first responders make it home safely this Thanksgiving,” said AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins, in a release. “All drivers can help by moving over for flashing lights, whether it’s a tow truck or a disabled vehicle with its hazard lights on. Even if it adds a few minutes to your commute, that small gesture could save a life.”

With the record-setting number of travelers, AAA expects more than 570,000 to have some type of car trouble. The three most common calls AAA receives are for flat tires, dead batteries, and lockouts.

“Don’t let car trouble be the reason you don’t make it to Thanksgiving dinner,” Jenkins stated. “Before setting out for your holiday road trip, get a full vehicle inspection to ensure everything is in proper working order.”

AAA recommends drivers check their tires, battery, and brakes before hitting the road, as well as to have an emergency hit with items such as a cellphone charger, flashlight, first-aid supplies, jumper cables, flares, and other essentials.

Be aware, take care

The Florida Highway Patrol, along with our statewide public safety partners, will be active and visible over the holiday to promote public safety and encourage safe driving habits.

The number of vehicles on the road tends to increase during the holiday season, FHP officials stated.

According to FHP, in 2022, holiday travel statistics indicated a rise in crashes involving individuals impaired by alcohol, drugs, or both. However, there was a decrease in crashes last year, and a few new trends emerged.

According to statistics provided by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, last year, on Thanksgiving week, there were 7,308 crashes on Florida roads. The most crashes occurred on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving week, while the least occurred on Thanksgiving Day. There were 43 total fatalities during that five-day travel period.

“The holiday season is a busy time on Florida roads as many people travel to spend time with family and friends,” stated FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. “To ensure that everyone arrives safely at their destination, those planning to travel should take precautions and check their vehicles before embarking on long journeys. Once behind the wheel, drivers should remain patient, calm, focused, and unimpaired”.

According to FHP, nearly 30% of crashes from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to the following Sunday involved rear-end collisions. “These collisions can happen when a driver is following too closely, is distracted, or is speeding and suddenly brakes, leading to a crash with the vehicle behind them,” officials stated.

Almost 70% of crashes happen during the day, as opposed to nighttime, and in many cases, there are no contributing road conditions or environmental factors.

Data from FHP indicates that the hazards are mainly related to driver behavior rather than external conditions.

“Speeding, careless driving, and aggressive driving were the most frequently issued citations during this period last year,” officials stated. “Furthermore, more than 10% of crashes involved same-direction sideswipes from other vehicles, while over 15% were categorized as hit-and-run incidents.”

FHP provided some safety tips for safe travels over the holiday:

• Never drive impaired: Alcohol, drugs, a combination of the two, and even some over-the-counter medications should not be used if you plan on getting behind the wheel. It is not worth the risk to yourself or others on the road if you feel different.

• Limit distractions: Focus on driving and keep your eyes on the road. No text is worth your life. Whatever the distraction, whether it’s a phone call, adjusting the radio, or eating, put it down and concentrate on reaching your destination safely.

• Slow down, speed kills: In Florida, the speed limit is never over 70 miles per hour. With increased traffic and everyone trying to get to the same place, patience is required. Being calm and courteous can contribute to a respectful and considerate driving environment, ensuring that we all arrive alive.

• Plan your route: If you are traveling across the state, ensure that you have checked your route ahead of time and are aware of rest stops and gas stations. This will give you a sense of preparedness and control, allowing you to fuel up or take a break if needed and ensuring a smoother journey.

• Prepare your vehicle: Before you head out, make sure that your vehicle is safe to drive. This responsible and proactive action, though it may not be a top priority in our fast-paced lives, can make a significant difference in ensuring a safe and non-eventful drive. Check your tires, tire pressure, and brakes to be fully prepared.

“Traveling safely this holiday season is a choice and a personal responsibility,” stated FHP Colonel Gary Howze II. “Drive carefully on Florida roads, stay alert and be courteous. Remember, life is about the journey as much as the destination. Let’s ensure every journey ends with joyful memories this season. Arrive Alive Florida!”

Southwest Florida International Airport

The Lee County Port Authority is expecting a busy Thanksgiving at RSW this year, and want travelers to plan ahead. Officials advise travelers to be in line at their security checkpoint at least 2 hours prior to a flight departure for a domestic flight, and 3 hours before an international flight.

Officials said parking lots may fill up quickly between Nov. 22 and Nov. 27.

“Please give yourself extra time to find parking and consider alternative ways to get to RSW, such as being dropped off by friends or family or using commercial transportation,” RSW officials stated.

For Thanksgiving, RSW will be offering passengers a remote and reserved parking option called RSWRemote. It is located on the north side of the airport, on Regional Lane, off Chamberlin Parkway.

The RSWRemote parking lot will be accepting cars to enter for parking from Nov. 23 at 3 a.m. through Thanksgiving Day at noon. Cars may exit the lot from Thanksgiving Day through the last flight arrival on Dec. 4.

The cost will be a flat $60 fee, no matter how many days an individual chooses to park, and is non-refundable.

For more information or to book and prepay for parking in RSWRemote, visit flylcpa.com/RSWRemote. RSW recommends adding an additional 30 minutes to your travel time to use the remote parking option.