Slippery conditions expected for Thanksgiving travel

WASHINGTON—If you are coming back to town after the Thanksgiving holiday, expect local roadways to be jammed Sunday.

Travel is expected to be heaviest between noon to 8p.m.

The travel figures aren't final yet, but AAA Mid-Atlantic predicted about 765,400 (about 14.3 percent) of local residents would travel this year. That's down from last year's 776,900 and the biggest projected decline in Thanksgiving travel in six years.

Check out WTOP's traffic center to map out your route.

Air Travel
AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman Lon Anderson says that while travel is down, it's not due to the prices at the gas stations.

"We're only projecting that travel is off 1.5 percent right now, and I think that is because there is such deals at the gas pump," says Anderson.

"Just remember last July we had a high of $4.11 a gallon," he added. AAA recommends that you avoid "driver fatigue" and not attempt a long drive home at night, especially if you've eaten a big meal.

Nearly 106,000 people around the metro area are expected to fly this year, about an 8 percent decrease from last year according to AAA.

Airlines have fewer flights scheduled, but there are new runways in operation and military airspace has been opened-up. You can check the status of flights at any of these websites: Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Baltimore/Washington International, Federal Aviation Administration, or Flight Stats.

The rainy weather Sunday is causing up to 30 minute delays at BWI. If you are picking up someone traveling from Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia or Boston be sure to check flight times because of longer delays. Passengers are being delayed up to two and half hours from those cities.

Chris Hills, Orbit air traffic analyst, says the combination of rain and the number of people flying are causing the delays.

If you are coming back to town with more goodies in your suitcase because you took advantage of Black Friday shopping then check out the fee breakdown for first and second checked bags.

• American it will cost $15 for the first bag;$25 for second bag checked
• United it will cost $15 for the first bag; $25 for for second bag checked
• Delta it is free for the first bag; $50 for second bag checked
• Continental it will cost $15 for the first bag; $25 for second bag checked
• Southwest it is free for the first bag; free for second bag checked
• Northwest it will cost $15 for the first bag; $25 for second bag checked
• US Airways it will cost $15 for the first bag; $25 for second bag checked
• Jet Blue it is free for the first bag; $20 for second bag checked
• Air Tran it is free for the first bag; $25 for second bag checked

If you are picking folks up from the airport, all three area airports have cell phone lots. At Reagan National, though, there are only 34 spots.

Trains and Buses
About 16 percent more people are expected to take trains, buses and other forms of transportation this holiday. You can check Amtrak train schedules here.

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