Roads could be busy this Thanksgiving holiday period

The auto club AAA projects 55.4 million people will take long trips this Thanksgiving, the third-most travelers for the holiday since it started tracking holiday travel in 2000.

The top prior Thanksgiving forecasts happened in 2005 and 2019.

AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson Morgan Dean said the high forecast isn’t a surprise.

“Travel demand has been strong all year, and AAA’s Thanksgiving forecast reflects that continued desire to get away and spend time with loved ones, especially at this time of year when we pause to give thanks,” Dean said in a news release.

Most U.S. holiday travelers (49.1 million) will drive to their destinations, of at least 50 miles, according to AAA. Another 4.7 million people are expected to fly, up 6.6% over last year. AAA says 1.5 million are expected to travel by bus, train or cruises, an increase of 11% over last year.

Lower gas prices could be one draw to those planning to take road trips this Thanksgiving.

The current national average for a gallon of regular gas was $3.33 on Friday, down from $3.72 a year ago, according to AAA.

Locally and in Virginia, gas prices are even better than the national average. The average price in Fredericksburg was $2.98 on Friday, down from $3.47 a year ago. In Virginia, the average price was $3.13 on Friday compared to $3.46 last year at this time.

The Virginia Department of Transportation will provide another bonus for holiday travelers by suspending most major work zones and lane closures.

Deer season means roadway messes

With fall comes deer season, when the animals are extra active rutting and avoiding hunters. That leaves roadway messes behind when deer fail to navigate roadways.

Sometimes those deer carcasses stay in place and are cleared by decomposition and animals, but other deer bodies are removed.

Removing deer bodies, and those of other animals that don’t make it across the road, is another duty for the Virginia Department of Transportation.

“Over the past three years, between 2020-2023, customer reports of deceased animals was the number one request to VDOT’s Customer Service Center,” local VDOT spokeswoman Kelly Hannon said in an email.

Anyone who sees something in a roadway, including dead animals, can call VDOT at 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623) or file a report online at my.vdot.virginia.gov .

Scott Shenk: 540/374-5436

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