Thanksgiving tips for taking planes, trains and automobiles
The only thing you want to worry about Thursday is how many notches to loosen your belt at dinner. But fate, weather and bad choices can throw some curves at Thanksgiving travelers.
Here are five things to know if you're <URL destination="https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20181119/news/181119006/">out and about this holiday.
</URL>• Either avoid rush hour or bring relaxation tapes in your car Wednesday. The Illinois tollway predicts Wednesday will be the heaviest traffic day of the week with 1.9 million vehicles descending on toll roads compared to norms of 1.6 million.
• If you're dropping guests off at O'Hare or Midway International airports Sunday, allow for extra time driving there and getting through check-in and security. About 260,000 flyers will pass through O'Hare and more than 90,000 at Midway Sunday - the busiest day of the holiday.
• The Illinois tollway will limit construction between noon Wednesday and Monday morning and suspend some lane closures. But ongoing work continues at some locations such as on the Edens Spur and on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) near York Road and I-290.
• Fifteen people died in traffic crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday in 2017, the Illinois State Police said. Drivers are reminded to ensure everyone buckles up and to focus on the road, not phones or other devices.
• Taking the train? Amtrak suggests travelers arrive 30 minutes ahead of time for trains, noting that Wednesday and Sunday are the most hectic days on the service. Train riders are allowed two 50-pound bags for free; a third incurs a $20 fee.