Buckle up: Thanksgiving travel will be busy in the Twin Cities
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Minnesotans traveling for Thanksgiving should brace themselves for busy roads and airport terminals.
By the numbers: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport expects at least 468,000 travelers to pass through security screening during the Thanksgiving travel period, which began Thursday and runs through Tuesday, Dec. 2.
- That's a 10% increase over the same span in 2023, per a release.
Threat level: MSP predicts travel will peak on Wednesday, Nov. 27, and Sunday, Dec. 1, with more than 49,000 passengers going through screenings on both days.
For those traveling by car, AAA projects that regional roads will be busiest late Sunday afternoon, with the drive on 94 from Eau Claire to Minneapolis taking 46% longer than usual.
- I-35 and I-35W are also expected to see more congestion.
Drivers' silver lining: At least gas prices are down!
The big picture: A record 80 million Americans are expected to head out of town for the holiday this year, according to AAA projections.
- The Transportation Security Administration says it's preparing for the busiest Thanksgiving travel period on record.
If you (must) fly: Airport officials recommend arriving at least two hours early for domestic flights.
- And be sure to pack some patience, because you'll likely encounter lines, traffic or both.
Pro tips: Terminal 2 has a new "express lane" in the Purple Ramp as an alternative for pick ups and drop offs.
- And if you're driving yourself to the airport, you can book parking to guarantee a spot and lock in lower rates.
✈️ Before you take off: Bookmark our MSP hacks and dining guide.