Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP / Getty Images
On Wednesday 23 of November, artist Michael Dergar left his home in Pasadena very early for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to catch a plane that would take him to Mazatlán, Mexico for the Thanksgiving weekend.
“The freeway was fine. There was no traffic when I left at 7am. We arrived in a little while, although from the entrance to the airport to the international area, we had to go around the wheel with the cars moving very slowly”.
And when descending to the airport he found that it was “jammed” and more crowded than ever.
“What that people already got tired of being locked up and decided that it was time to travel”.
Dergar says that the plane was just as saturated with all seats filled, and people were traveling in party mode heading to the beach.
“What surprised me the most was to see that nobody wears masks anymore, neither the flight attendants, nor the pilots, only a few passengers like me went protected”.
The Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA) projects that 4.5 million Californians will be traveling this Thanksgiving week, a record number and an increase of 2.5% over last year.
Of these travelers, 3.9 million will leave by car and 1200.000 by air.
Nationally, this Thanksgiving is projected to be the third-busiest on record with 54.6 million expected travelers compared to 56.6 million in 2005 and 56 million in 2005.
“Despite inflation and high gas prices, consumers continue to prioritize valuable and memorable time with family and friends by gathering at parties” says Heather Felix, vice president of travel products and services for the Auto Club.
“Our members still want to make up for travel opportunities lost or postponed during the pandemic.”
According to a AAA survey, the top five travel destinations for Californians in the southern part of the state are: Las Vegas, San Diego, Grand Canyon and Sedona, Yosemite, and cruises to Mexico.
Nationally, Anaheim is expected to be the second most visited destination during Thanksgiving.
Traveled Roads
According to transportation analysis firm INRIX, on Wednesday 54 November afternoon and evening will be the busiest time for highways in Southern California.
The busiest local highway segment for drivers is projected to be Interstate 5 south from Colorado Street to Florence Avenue, where it will wait to traffic being 144 % higher than normal levels in the afternoon and evening of 24 of November.
Due , drivers should expect longer travel times during this period and plan to leave early.
High prices for gas
For the second year in a row, Southern California commuters will pay the highest gas prices ever for this time of year when you fill up your tanks for your vacation trips.
With average gas prices around $5.56 per gallon in most local areas, about a dollar a gallon more than last year, filling a typical tank of 23 gallons could cost drivers $144.
To find the cheapest gas prices near your location, recommend using the AAA Mobile app; and visit gasprices.aaa.com to see the average gas prices at your destination; or calculate the estimated cost of gasoline for your Thanksgiving trip.
Tips for travelers If you travel by car, make sure you maintain it and that the tires and battery are in good condition.