Thanksgiving travel should go up this year, AAA says

Three years of staring at your immediate family over turkey and gravy have created a wanderlust that's peaking this year, according to holiday travel predictions.

AAA Chicago predicts the best Thanksgiving travel year since the economy went south and the staycation went vogue. An estimated 42.5 million Americans will voyage 50 miles or more from home between Wednesday and Nov. 27.

That's a 4 percent jump from 2010 nationally; in Illinois, the increase is 3.8 percent, AAA says.

There's a pent-up demand from Americans who've stayed close to home since 2008, a low point for Turkey Day travel when only 37.8 million people went on a trip, said Brad Roeber, AAA Chicago regional president.

This year, people are feeling the pull of family or simply want a change. meaning frugality is tossed aside for a week, Roeber said.

In Illinois, 2.2 million people will hit the roads, airports, bus terminals and train stations. About 2 million will drive somewhere for the holiday and 179,000 will fly.

Nationwide, 90 percent of Thanksgiving travelers will go by car. They'll find relatively favorable gas prices.

In the Chicago region, the price of a gallon of regular was $3.60 Thursday, better than $4.47 in May but higher than $3.10 a year ago.

Folks driving through Michigan will see an average of $3.38 for a gallon of regular and Wisconsin travelers will pay $3.36.

Travelocity Contributing Editor Melissa Klumran forecasts crowded planes and airports for fliers.

“It's simply supply and demand,” she said. “Diminished capacity on flights, combined with the increased number of travelers trying to get home for Thanksgiving dinner, equals completely full planes.”

Experts advise the following:

Ÿ Give yourself 90 minutes at the airport.

Ÿ Bring extra food.

Ÿ Check with your airline in advance about carry-on luggage sizes and limitations.

Ÿ Pack light. Many airlines charge for checked bags.

Ÿ Check in 24 hours before online so you'll have your boarding passes in hand.