Some tips for holiday trips
Escalating prices at the pump promise to slam Thanksgiving travelers this weekend even if the traffic or weather doesn't.
About 400,000 more drivers than last year will hit the road for a Thanksgiving haul of 50-plus miles, according to data from AAA-Chicago Motor Club. That is a 1.3 percent increase over the estimated 30 million holiday drivers on the road this time in 2006.
Also this year, AAA expects 4.7 million Americans to fly for the holiday, a 2.2 percent increase, and 2.8 million to take mass transit.
Here are some tips to make your travels safer and more comfortable.
Driving:
• A gallon of regular unleaded was fetching about $3.18 in the Chicago area Tuesday. Expect prices to rise, and gas up early. Also, the price drops the farther you get from Chicago.
• Most construction projects will be suspended starting late today.
• Check real-time traffic for Chicago, Milwaukee and Gary, Ind., highways and view road cameras at www.gcmtravel.com.
• State and local police will run extra patrols through the weekend to crack down on drunken driving, speeding and seat belt violations.
• Warn out-of-town guests to pull to the right at toll booths and pay cash or they could be fined $20 per violation.
Hopping transit:
• Metra will be extending weekend deals to include Friday so up to three children under 11 can ride free and unlimited rides cost $5.
• Pace and the CTA will run on special schedules Thursday. Check www.rtachicago.com or call 836-7000 from any area code for schedule and fare information.
• Thanks to state subsidies, Amtrak has extra runs to St. Louis, Springfield, Normal, Champaign, Carbondale, Mattoon, Quincy, Galesburg and Macomb, among other Illinois towns.
The airports:
• Expect delays. Weather has continued to wreak havoc on airports across the country.
• Check flight status and airport parking information at www.flychicago.com or call your carrier
• There will be crowds, and it will take longer to get through security, so be sure to arrive at least two hours before departure.