‘I can’t wait to see my family:’ AAA expects 3 million Floridians to travel for Thanksgiving weekend

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) -People across North Central Florida are taking to the skies or hitting the road today to visit family for Thanksgiving weekend.

Countrywide, the day before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days to travel and AAA is expecting 3 million Floridians to travel for this holiday weekend.

While most people decided to hit the road to see their loved ones for Thanksgiving, many are opting to fly instead. People like Martha Smith, usually travel out of the Orlando airport but this time, she chose Gainesville Regional Airport for convenience.

: Record crowds are expected to take to the air and roads for Thanksgiving

“Too busy, Orlando is just too busy and I knew this airport was close and easy to get to. And I’ve never been to this airport before,” said Smith.

The number of travelers is up 2.3% versus last year, making this the third-highest travel year ever. 88% of people are getting behind the wheel while 8.5% are packing the airport.

For other people like Roaine Jarein, who is visiting family in Kansas, flying is less of a hassle.

“I chose Gainesville Airport because the transaction also the system here is very smooth and they help a lot of people,” said Jarien. ”The people here are very helpful and kind and reliable.”

While Gainesville Airport tickets can be expensive, that’s not a concern for some passengers this time of the year.

“It was pretty much the same price as the Orlando Airport, said Marco Salvador, visiting family in Miami. “We checked a few local airports and this was pretty much about the same thing and it was close and perfect. I’ve seen pictures of the airport and my friends have taken flights here and all I heard were good things so I saw no reason not to take the flight here.”