AAA Says Prepare for Madness on Maryland Highways This Thanksgiving

More Marylanders are expected to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday this year than in previous years, and they may be heading out earlier in the week than usual.

About 871,000 Maryland residents, a 3.5 percent increase from 2010, are expected to travel 50 miles or more round trip during the period from Wednesday, Nov. 23, to Sunday, Nov. 27, according to AAA-Mid-Atlantic.

This is despite the fact that gas is 47 cents higher this year than last year, data shows.

“Despite the high level of unemployment and the cloud of economic uncertainty that still shrouds the nation, as well as Maryland, our forecast shows that many Marylanders do not want to miss the opportunity to spend time with loved ones on Thanksgiving Day,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson Ragina C. Averella in a press release.

Maryland's expected increase in Thanksgiving travelers mirrors the national trend this year. AAA forecasts 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a 4 percent increase from last year’s holiday.

Other survey results highlights:

• There is a greater increase in road versus air travelers. About 92 perent of Thanksgiving travelers will be in an automobile this year, a 3.5 increase over last year. Air travel is expected to increase 1.3 percent.

• Other modes of travel are projected to increase 14 percent, which equals 1 percent of the total holiday travelers, the survey said. Slightly more than 10,000 people are expected to travel by train or bus.

• Marylanders are planning to travel closer to home this year compared to 2010. The majority, 33 percent, have indicated they will travel 251 to 400 miles round-trip.

• Spending time with friends and family is the most popular Thanksgiving activity for Maryland travelers. Coming in at a close second? Shopping, which 64 percent said they would be doing during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Another surprising Thanksgiving travel trend

According to the Baltimore Sun, more travelers are taking to the roads on Tuesday, rather than Wednesday.

The paper reported that 148,475 vehicles passed through the Fort McHenry Tunnel last year on Tuesday, which is the busiest toll facility in Maryland. That’s “roughly 21,000 more than the average November Tuesday,” according to the Sun.

Avoid Traffic Jams

Call 511 or go to md511.org, services run by the Maryland Department of Transportation, to learn about major incidents, delays, estimated travel times and weather conditions before you hit the road.