BENTONVILLE, Ark. — According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the Thanksgiving 2024 travel season is expected to break records, with 80 million Americans expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the holiday week.
If you are driving to or from your Thanksgiving destination, Nick Chabarria, spokesperson for AAA, suggests leaving as early as early as you can and trying to get past the major metro areas before peak congestion in the afternoon and evening.
Chabarria said Tuesday and Wednesday will likely be the busiest days ahead of the holiday, while Sunday will be the busiest coming home.
Chabrarria added it might be a good idea for Arkansans taking road trips to fill up on gas before crossing state lines:
“Arkansas drivers will be paying anywhere from 15 to 25 cents less per gallon for gas this year compared to last year,” Chabarria said. “Of course, Arkansas is well within the top 10 cheapest statewide averages in the country, so if you are heading out of state, depending on which direction you're headed, fill up before you cross state lines, and you may save a few bucks.”
If you plan to fly, Olivia Tyler, Public Affairs Manager for the Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) said it’s already been a busy week at the airport. She encourages fliers to arrive at least two hours early, book parking online in advance, and prepare to be patient.
“We ask, especially with the terminal being a little bit busier than typical, just to practice patience,” Tyler said. “There are going to be lines, there are going to be wait times, and for some people, this is the first time that they're flying, so it can be a stressful time.”
With the airport’s Terminal Modernization Project ongoing, there are interior and exterior traffic changes at XNA.
To best navigate the new patterns, Tyler encourages travelers to view the instructional videos on XNA’s website before arrival.
