Thanksgiving travel tips for Portland International Airport
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Let's hope this bird gets an aisle seat. Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
Travelers at Portland International Airport this holiday week should plan to arrive earlier than they would have in previous years, officials say.
Why it matters: PDX expects nearly 240,000 travelers to pass through the airport starting Wednesday through Sunday — up 9% from 2022, according to Allison Ferre, a spokesperson for the Port of Portland.
- This means in addition to gifts and treats for the family, travelers may also need to pack their patience.
Driving the news: TSA estimates it will screen 30 million passengers nationwide over the 12-day period around Thanksgiving.
- "We expect this holiday season to be our busiest ever," TSA administrator David Pekoske said in a statement.
- The busiest day at PDX is expected to be Sunday, when approximately 55,000 passengers will be coming and going, per Ferre.
Extra time: Ferre said travelers should plan to arrive at least two-and-a-half hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights, to ensure enough time for parking, checking bags and security screening.
Parking: The lots at PDX — both short-term and long-term — are in high demand right now, and are notorious for filling up during peak times. Check availability before you go via the airport's real-time tracker.
- If the lots are close to capacity, officials suggest taxis, rideshares, or taking advantage of the remodeled MAX Red Line station, which recently reopened after months of repair.
Packing tips: Food items like wine, cranberry sauce, gravy and jelly must go in a checked bag, TSA says.
- But pies, cakes, mac & cheese, meat, seafood and spices are fine in your carry-on for domestic flights. See more food rules.
Meanwhile, if you are driving, gas prices are down from last month.
- The average price for a gallon of gas in Portland metro is $4.34, according to GasBuddy.
- Oregon is the 36th most expensive state for gas.
The big picture: An estimated 49.1 million Americans are expected to hit the road this week, the third-busiest Thanksgiving since 2000, according to AAA.
- About 671,000 Oregonians are expected to drive at least 50 miles from home over the holiday. Drivers will encounter peak traffic delays on Wednesday evening and Sunday.
Go deeper: More Thanksgiving travel trends from AAA