Thanksgiving travel returns in Tennessee

Thanksgiving travel is almost back to normal in Tennessee, according to AAA projections.

• AAA predicts more than 1.2 million Tennessee residents this year will leave home for the holiday, only 3% behind pre-pandemic levels.

By the numbers: A vast majority are expected to travel by car, but AAA estimates more than 36,000 Tennesseans will fly out of town.

• Nationwide, AAA expects some 53.4 million people will travel for Thanksgiving. That marks the biggest year-over-year increase the group has logged since 2005.

Be smart: Nashville International Airport expects to see a surge of holiday passengers starting Wednesday.

• If you're flying out of BNA, officials recommend you arrive two hours early to allow time to get through security.