Overview
- AAA projects 81.8 million travelers, with about 73 million driving and roughly 6 million flying for the holiday period.
- Forecasters expect heavy rain across Texas and the Southern Plains from Sunday night into Tuesday, shifting to the Tennessee Valley and Southeast on Tuesday, then bringing rain to the Northeast and snow potential in the Upper Midwest on Wednesday, with a colder pattern likely after Thanksgiving.
- The FAA lifted recent flight restrictions at 40 major airports, and airports report readiness and added capacity, including record seats and 24 direct routes at Akron‑Canton.
- Road congestion is expected to peak Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday from mid‑morning to late afternoon, with lighter traffic on Thanksgiving and the busiest returns on Sunday and Monday.
- Travel advisers urge flexibility and preparation, including checking full‑route forecasts, slowing down in bad weather, and packing car emergency kits, while weather‑related flight cancellations qualify for refunds but typically not extra compensation.