Travelers begin to hit the road, head to airports as busy Thanksgiving holiday weekend begins

L. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. - At the Allentown Turnpike Plaza, Michelle Mbuthia is making a pit stop.

"Headed towards East Stroudsburg, not so good, my car decided to have an error for low oil," Mbuthia said.

She is headed home with her two sisters, Nicole and Julie, and let's not forget their dog, Georgia.

"I'm like the weird middle," she said.

The sisters are among 675,000 motorists Turnpike officials say they anticipate to hit the road on the first day of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, followed by a half million more through Sunday.

They say construction delays are expected near Philly and central Pennsylvania.

Increased state police patrols have been added for driver safety.

And then of course there is the weather.

"So as folks are on the road today, we have been just asking them to pack some patience and make sure that they are driving according to conditions," said Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Media Specialist Crispin Havener.

Air travel is also about to be crazy busy.

"I think TSA is predicting, they're going to screen about 30 million passengers over a 12-day period," said Colin Riccobon, Director of Public and Government Relations for the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.

LVIA says in addition to higher holiday volume, people should be prepared for delays.

Officials say travelers should plan extra time to the airport and arrive early.

As for the Mbuthia sisters, they can't wait to get home to mom.

"Her turkey, it's really good. She takes a long time to do it. She brings it overnight and she just amazing. So excited to eat it," Mbuthia said.

In addition to the increased patrols, state police say they are also setting up a bunch of checkpoints and will be on the lookout for folks texting while driving home for the holidays.