Texas is gearing up for its busiest Thanksgiving travel season ever, with AAA projecting 5.8 million people will head at least 50 miles from home. That’s slightly more than last year, but enough to push the state to a new all-time record. And with nearly nine out of ten travelers driving, the highways are about to feel every bit of it
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INRIX says November 25 and 26 will be the worst days to be on the road, especially on major arteries like I-35 and I-10. Air travel is jumping too, with about 328,000 Texans flying and another 140,000 taking buses, trains or other options. AAA expects roughly 29,000 roadside calls during the holiday stretch, even as gas prices hold steady at $2.61 per gallon.
Most travelers are headed to the usual hotspots: Austin, DFW, Houston, San Antonio and the Hill Country. AAA says demand keeps climbing as Texans prioritize gathering with family and friends. The advice is simple, leave early, expect delays and build in plenty of extra time.