With this year’s Thanksgiving stacking up to be the second-busiest on record, the Massachusetts Port Authority has some tips to make travel by air and car a little easier this turkey day — plus, free coffee.
AAA is predicting more than 55 million people across the country will travel at least 50 miles from home for the holiday, behind only the 2005 Thanksgiving season, Massport said in a news release.
"We want to do everything we can to make travel as stress-free as possible for everyone flying in and out of Logan Airport this holiday season," Massport CEO Lisa Wieland said in the release.
Increased air traffic is expected to begin as early as Friday, with 1 million people traveling in and out of Boston Logan International Airport between Friday, Nov. 22, and Tuesday, Dec. 3, while the worst roadway traffic is expected between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, according to the Massport news release.
Using apps and online resources such as the MBTA trip planner website, MassDot’s Go Time app and the Massport website to plan travel times is highly recommended by Massport. For flyers, checking with your airline for updated flight status and travel information is also recommended.
For drivers, Massport recommends driving during off peak hours, taking the HOV lane when possible and staying awake and alert. To that end, free coffee will be served at the 18 MassDot service plazas Thanksgiving night from 10 p.m. through 5 a.m. the next day, Massport said.
Anyone going to and from Logan should know that the parking lot is expected to be near or at capacity, so it’s best to check the MBTA website for schedule information and take public transportation, if possible, according to Massport.
U.S. & World
Weiland said at a news conference at Logan Monday that the agency has lowered fares on the Back Bay Logan Express bus and is letting passengers taking that bus or the agency's ferry service to the airport skip to the front of the line security line.
Above all, make sure to budget enough time for travel so you don’t miss out on any stuffing or turkey!
