INDIANAPOLIS — The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year, with many trying to get home to family.
AAA is predicting a travel rush we haven’t seen in years. They say nearly 55 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more this holiday.
A large majority of those travelers will be on the road.
Shane Springer is driving up to the Fort Wayne area on Thursday and said he is dreading the holiday traffic.
“It is always bad. It’s Indianapolis. There is construction 24/7 on 465,” Springer said.
Others, like Dailan Lewis, are staying home this year, saying gas prices are too high.
“My fiancé and I want to get out more and go on trips, but obviously we have been limited based on prices and even prices of food,” he said.
But for the millions of others hitting the roads, Indiana State Police are ramping up patrols to keep everyone safe.
“This time of year, we always expect heightened traffic, a lot more cars on the road as people are trying to get to family gatherings, shopping, or to other destinations,” said ISP Sgt. John Perrine.
This holiday season, police are focused on aggressive, reckless and drunk driving.
“Our goal is to be out there and be seen to generate that voluntary compliance so that people will slow down, increase that following distance and do the little things that help,” Perrine said.
He said the best thing drivers can do is plan ahead.
“Understand that other drivers make mistakes and other drivers may want to drive differently than you do. Just give yourself plenty of time, increase your following distance and slow down,” Perrine said.
For TSA tips on how to plan for a smooth trip before heading to the Indianapolis International Airport, click here.
If you're taking to the air for your holiday travels, TSA shared tips on how to plan for a smooth trip before heading to the Indianapolis International Airport, click here.