Highways and interstates are piling up with drivers for the Thanksgiving holiday

This year, Thanksgiving is a record-breaking holiday for travel. According to AAA, more than 2 million North Carolinians are expected to travel this holiday.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY)–The Thanksgiving holiday will also bring lots of turkey traffic to the roads. AAA predicts a record-high volume of people driving to relatives this week.
Tiffany Clark is hitting the road for a Thanksgiving trip, and she’s not alone.

“I’m going to pick up my granddaughters in Roake Rapids, and then we’re going to Goldsboro on Thanksgiving day,” Clark said.

This year, Thanksgiving is a record-breaking holiday for travel. According to AAA, more than 2 million North Carolinians are expected to travel this holiday—that’s 5,000 more than the previous record set in 2019.

“Right now, gas is pretty low, but the farther North you get, the more expensive it is,” Clark explained.

In fact, gas prices are hovering just below the $3 mark, with the average price statewide at $2.90 a gallon. That’s giving drivers a bit of a break at the pump. Meanwhile, in the Cape Fear region, car rentals are hard to come by. Local agencies like Enterprise are sold out.

However, for Charles Hardy, the road trip is still on.

“I’m going to visit a couple of family members up in Raleigh,” Hardy said. ” After COVID, all the crazy elections, I think spending time with friends and family is really what keeps us together and human.”

For Tiffany Clark, this year’s Thanksgiving is bittersweet. She won’t be able to spend it with both of her sons.

“This is the first year that we won’t be together for Thanksgiving, and as a mom, you start emptying nesting, and you think about it more during the holidays and special occasions,” Clark said.

However, whether you’re spending the holiday with family or friends, both Tiffany and Charles say they’re taking extra care on the road this year.

“Share the road. Share the space. Let’s stay safe, and remember, we all want to make it home to our families and friends,” Hardy said.

AAA also says the worst day to travel by car is Wednesday afternoon. It’s normally best to hit the road on Thanksgiving day when interstates and highways are typically clear.