Are Holiday Travel Nightmares in Store for Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota?

Holiday travel can be a nightmare.

As someone who has to fly across the country for every major holiday, I understand just how frustrating, exhausting, and expensive it can get.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are both right around the corner, so you're probably planning your travel route (if you haven't already). This holiday travel season might just be the busiest one in several years.

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Overall, this year's holiday forecast is expected to be up by approximately two percent according to officials at AAA. This Thanksgiving travel season is set to have the third highest numbers since 2000.

Experts are predicting that more than four million regional travelers including Iowans will be traveling over fifty miles for this Thanksgiving period.

“With more people taking to the roads, skies, rails and sea; travelers should expect congested roads and longer lines at transportation terminals. AAA encourages travelers to develop their plan now, leave early, and be courteous to others,” Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA said.

Gas prices are not expected to be terrible this year. Officials from AAA claim "strong domestic gasoline supplies are causing pump prices to drop."

Best Travel Times

Wednesday, November 22nd ~ Anytime before 11:00 AM

Thursday, November 23rd ~ Anytime before 10:00 AM and after 5:00 PM

Friday, November 24th ~ Anytime before 11:00 AM and after 7:00 PM

Saturday, November 25th ~ Anytime before 12:00 PM

Sunday, November 26th ~ Anytime before 12:00 PM

Worst Travel Times

Wednesday, November 22nd ~ 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Thursday, November 23rd ~ 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Friday, November 24th ~ 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Saturday, November 25th ~ 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Sunday, November 26th ~ 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Overall, the busiest day to drive in the United States will be Wednesday, November 22nd from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

What If I'm Flying?

Experts are claiming that 231,000 individuals will be hitting the skies throughout Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota this year. This is up five percent from last year.

The busiest and most expensive travel days for people in our neck of the woods will be the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Busy return dates to this region are Sunday and Monday AFTER Thanksgiving.

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