Chicago highways and airports will see some of the busiest traffic in the country this week, according to AAA.

Why it matters: Over 54 million Americans are projected to travel at least 50 miles or more this week for Thanksgiving.

• National Thanksgiving travel is expected to remain slightly lower than pre-pandemic levels, but Illinois will probably see its highest traffic since 2005, per the report.
• It predicts nearly 2.8 million Illinoisans are hitting the road for the holiday.

By the numbers: United expects 650,000 travelers at O'Hare this week and 460,000 travelers on Sunday alone. That's up 12% from last year.

• Overall bus and train travel is expected to be up 23% from last year.
• The good news is that U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stopped by yesterday to announce O'Hare has been cleared to start building a new terminal.

What they're saying: "While gas prices and other inflationary pressures weigh on budgets, travel remains a top priority for Americans," Debbie Haas of AAA said in a statement.

Driving: According to traffic app Waze, yesterday was the best day to drive.

• Avoid driving tomorrow afternoon if you can.
• Sunday is the best day to return — surprisingly, avoid Saturday.

Zoom in: The other top travel destinations in our area are Naperville, Joliet, Schaumburg and Aurora.

• According to AAA, the traffic on 290 between Chicago and Hillside is expected to double between 3pm and 5pm tomorrow.
• Similarly, I-94 is expected to brim with motorists.
• Reverse traffic downtown will also spike during rush hour.

Be safe: Sorry for the buzzkill, but Chicago is the sixth-deadliest city for traffic fatalities during Thanksgiving travel, per the car insurance app Jerry.

• Thanksgiving sees 43% more fatalities than Christmas, making it the deadliest holiday.
• The most treacherous times to drive: 6pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.

The bottom line: To avoid the worst traffic, travel before 11am tomorrow and on Thanksgiving.

Monica's parking tip: If you've always dreamed of finding easy parking in Lakeview, visit on Thanksgiving morning. It's a ghost town.

Breaking news: Chicagoans dig soft, buttery cubes of turkey- and thyme-flavored bread.

Driving the news: Nearly half of surveyed Axios Chicago readers chose stuffing as their favorite side.

• It was the most Googled Thanksgiving side dish in the state this year, according to Illinois Bet.

Zoom out: Stuffing also ranked highest in 27 other states, according to Campbell's latest "State of the Sides" report. But maybe they were "stuffing" the ballot box.

• 🥔 22 states prefer mashed potatoes, while Massachusetts refused to take a stance.
• 🍠 Other top national dishes include sweet potatoes, green bean casserole and Justin's favorite, mac and cheese.
• 🍽 Arkansas, Alaska and Idaho don’t like it when their sides touch.
• 🥗 Justin agrees — that's why the sides plate was created.

💭 Monica's thought bubble: I bought regular, gluten-free and keto stuffing this year to accommodate guests and still have plenty for leftovers.

• Pro tip: Save your plastic take-out boxes to pack up leftovers for guests.
• And if you're a guest, maybe bring a box just in case.

🗳 Ald. Ray Lopez withdrew from the mayor's race to run for re-election in the 15th ward. (Tribune)

⚖️ Attorney William Kunkle Jr. died at 81. He was most famous for prosecuting John Wayne Gacy and securing the death penalty. (Sun-Times)

🏈 Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said Justin Fields is "day to day" with a shoulder injury, but he didn't rule out that the star quarterback might be done for the season. (NBC Sports)

📺 Tonight is the final newscast for ABC7 anchor Alan Krashesky. He's retiring after 40 years covering news in Chicago. (ABC7)

Chicago's first luxury hotel for rabbits — hoppily named Hare BnB — opens this week in Rogers Park.

Why it matters: The snazzy bunny hutches will help fund the work of no-kill Red Door Animal Shelter, which runs the BnB and houses rescued rabbits and cats right around the corner.

The amenities: Four-legged guests are treated to their own 4x4 room with a chewable privacy hut, Persian rug, twice-daily salads and all the hay they can eat.

• Plus, optional spa treatments and no barking dogs.

Between the lines: The ASPCA estimates there are more than three million pet bunnies in U.S. homes, some given as holiday gifts and then abandoned.

• Many also need boarding while their humans take a vacation — thus Hare BnB.

Yes, but: Monica, a long-time bunny companion, urges folks to think through bringing a rabbit into their homes.

• They bring plenty of joy but also some challenges.

🐰 If you book: Hop on reservations soon, as the shelter says Hare BnB is almost fully booked for the holidays.

💼 Check out who’s hiring on our Job Board.

1. Internal Communications Manager at Ardagh Group.
2. Advanced Analytics Product Owner at Chamberlain Group.
3. Director, Brand Strategy at Merge.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a Job.

Where's Monica this holiday week? Here's a hint:

• I twinkle and shine when the temperature drops
• In a wonderful park where the sea lion flops
• On Mondays I'm free but on other nights not
• Either way I do say I'm a cool winter spot.

📬 Reply with the correct answer, and you could win Axios swag!