Alicia Abelson
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON — (WMAL) Leaving town this Thanksgiving? Whether it’s by car or air, planning ahead will help cut down on holiday stress.
This year, driving will account for 91% of all Thanksgiving travel, according to the AAA, the highest in almost a decade.
The automobile association credits cheap gas prices, improved personal economy, and the family-oriented mindset.
So when is the best time to leave?
John Townsend with AAA Mid-Atlantic says it’ll be “in those free flowing times of traffic in the Washington-Metro area, which means any morning before noon with the exception of Thanksgiving day itself.”
And the worst time to travel? Townsend says “the Tuesday before Thanksgiving around 5 to 6 o’clock in the afternoon and evening rush hour.”
It’s not just gridlock drivers should be wary of. Townsend warns about what is now being called “Black Out Wednesday.” College students who are used to binge-drinking during their time at school come home and drink the night before Thanksgiving, resulting in more drunk driving accidents.
For those who are traveling by plane, IdentoGO by MorphoTrust USA is helping those in the DC area enroll in TSA Pre-Check. The company will have a van parked at the National Gallery of Art in DC from 8-5 through Friday this week.
People who are interested can make appointments online at www.IdentoGo.com/precheck
Copyright 2016 WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (PHOTO: Famartin/Wikimedia)
