People are already getting ready to travel for the holiday, and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) was busy on Tuesday as Thanksgiving travelers began departing from Raleigh.

The airport expects more than 400,000 people to travel through RDU this week, compared to 138,000 people who traveled through the airport last week, according to a spokesman.

If you’re driving to visit loved ones for Thanksgiving, experts recommend getting on the road soon to avoid heavy traffic.

AAA predicts a record 71 million people will travel by car over the holidays, and it’s best to leave at 10 a.m. Tuesday to avoid rush hour. Tuesday between 1pm and 7pm will be one of the busiest times on the road and higher than normal traffic volumes are expected throughout the week.

Here’s what you can expect on the streets and airports this week:

Live updates

12:30 p.m.: According to AAA, gas prices have increased slightly. The average price in North Carolina is $2.87, up 2 cents from Monday. In Raleigh it is $2.92, a cent more than Monday. Statewide, the average cost rose 1 cent to $3.07 since Monday.

12 o’clock: WRAL reporter Shaun Gallagher, who was at RDU both days, said Tuesday was a lot busier than Monday, particularly at the security checkpoint line in Terminal 2, which was nearly three times longer than the day before.

On-site parking spaces at the airport are also becoming increasingly scarce, as Premeir, Central and express parking spaces at about 70% capacity. The parking space in Economy 3 is 98% occupied, and in Economy 4 it is 64% occupied.

If driving to the airport is not possible, the only way to guarantee parking is to book online 24 hours in advance.

“There are times when the parking deck is full or the economy parking spaces are almost full,” says Stephanie Hawco, an RDU ssaid the poker announcer. “If you check online or book in advance, we are confident You will treat yourselfd experience when you travel here.

11 a.m.: The NCDOT has issued the following Thanksgiving travel advisory:

• Helene’s impacts are still impacting travel in parts of western North Carolina.
• I-40 remains closed between North Carolina and Tennessee.
• I-26 is reduced to one lane in each direction in Tennessee.

Helene takes detours

• To South Tennessee/Georgia/Alabama: Use US 74W
• To Tennessee/Virginia: Use I-77 North to I-81 South
• From east of Winston-Salem to Tennessee/Virginia: Use I-74W to I-77N to I-81S

Drivers can find the latest traffic information at DriveNC.gov.

10 O `clock: With RDU we don’t see any delays.

9:30 a.m.: We don’t see any crazy snakes at RDU.

9 a.m.: WRAL’s Ken Smith is tracking some slowdowns in the Beltline’s northern loop near Lake Boone Trail. We see some of the usual backups on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh. Routes near RDU are free.

8:30 a.m.: We see a slight slowdown near RDU. We are also seeing some ongoing delays due to an accident on I-885 at TW Alexander Drive in Durham.

8 o’clock: A crash on US Highway 1/64 at Tryon Road causes ongoing delays in Cary. All routes near RDU are free.

7:30 a.m.: Everything runs smoothly with RDU.

7 a.m.: After the rush at 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., the lines have reduced and are no longer too long.

6:30 a.m.: The security line appears to be much shorter.

6 a.m.: Long queues form at RDU.

5 a.m.: More and more queues are forming at check-in and at security checkpoints.

Whether by plane or by road, a record number of North Carolinians are expected to be on the road for Thanksgiving this year.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects the 2024 holiday season to be one of the busiest ever for air travel, with large crowds expected to arrive this week. TSA estimates 18.3 million people will fly through U.S. airports Tuesday through Monday.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport expects at least the same number of travelers as last year, when more than 400,000 people flew in and out of the Triangle in 2023.

Nearly 1.4 million traveled through RDU in October, and Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be the busiest days at the airport, according to a spokesman.

Meredith Hamnor and her son Chance Hamnor were at RDU Tuesday morning heading to Orlando for Thanksgiving.

“We always try to leave the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to avoid the crowds,” Meredith Hamnor said. “You never know when you’re going to have to wait in line. You have to be prepared.”

Chance Hamnor said he was shocked by the long lines.

“I’ve never seen her for so long,” he said. “That’s why I find it shocking … and I’m very glad that we have TSA pre-screening.”

A number of variables could lead to travel nightmares this week, including bad weather, increased TSA lines or even a worker strike at the Charlotte airport that could impact Raleigh.

United Airlines is urging travelers to allow extra time for their Thanksgiving flights, especially on the way home on Sunday.

“We always say get to the airport early,” said Nicole Carriere, a spokeswoman for United. “This is the year to really listen. This is the time when everyone will be traveling around the same time. Tuesday and Wednesday will be very busy, but it will be even busier after the holidays. Sunday could be an all-time travel record. If you are a person who wants to get in and out quickly for vacation, plan ahead.

Make sure you have a plan on how to get to the airport. If you plan to drive yourself, be sure to check parking availability in advance.

As of Monday afternoon, more than 2,000 spaces were available in RDU’s central parking decks, but they are sure to fill up quickly over the next two days.

People traveling domestically are advised to be at the airport at least two hours before their departure.

Take to the streets? Drive safely

Domestic travel is also expected to break records, leading to a busy holiday season across the US

According to AAA, more than two million North Carolinians are expected to travel for Thanksgiving this year, setting a new state record.

“Click It or Ticket,” a nationwide program that reminds drivers to buckle up before hitting busy roads, runs through Thanksgiving.

Drivers in North Carolina face fines and fees of up to $187 if someone in their vehicle is not wearing a seatbelt. The campaign runs until Sunday.

Extreme weather makes travel to the USA difficult

Travelers should be prepared for possible complications as two separate storm systems are set to hit parts of the country this week.

WRAL meteorologist Anthony Baglione said traveling west may be the most challenging. Six western states were under winter weather warnings Sunday, with rainy and snowy conditions already affecting the region.

The journey home could be even more difficult as a storm is expected later in the week. Thanksgiving Day in particular is expected to be the most disruptive travel day in the Triangle.

Questions and Answers: What is the travel weather like before and after Thanksgiving?

WRAL News spoke with Rebekah Kent, a passenger who was preparing to fly home Friday morning and shared her concerns.

“There will probably be crazy rain, crazy wind, crazy waiting at the airport and crazy weather. But we will come home no matter what happens. We’ll just get through it, right?” Kent said.

Due to high travel volumes and unstable weather, expect longer lines, increased traffic and possible disruption to your travel plans.

Be prepared for a challenging journey, but remain patient as it is part of the holiday experience.

RDU tips for vacation travel

• Allow additional travel time: Visitors to RDU should keep in mind that roads can be particularly congested in the late afternoon and early evening hours.
• Book parking online: Travelers can book parking at parkrdu.com for guaranteed access to the deck or parking space of their choice. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. If you have not booked parking in advance, we recommend that you check the rdu.com homepage to see what parking options are available before heading to the airport.
• Download the app: Your airline’s mobile app can provide important information about the status of your flight, including departure and arrival times and schedule changes. You can also check the status board on rdu.com to know if your flight is on time. RDU recommends checking your flight status before leaving home.
• Get there early: Travelers should allow enough time to park, check in and go through security. RDU recommends arriving two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights. Airlines begin boarding 30 to 40 minutes before departure. So start your journey on time by arriving at the gate early.
• Prepare for security: Find out what is allowed at the TSA checkpoint. Take a few minutes to learn about TSA policies and expedited screening options, including TSA PreCheck and CLEAR.
• Use cell batch: If you’re picking someone up from the airport, take advantage of our free cell phone parking to make your curbside pickup go smoothly. Follow signs on campus to the Cell Lot at 1000 Trade Drive, then wait for a call or text message letting you know your group has arrived. After getting off the plane, give them 30 minutes to collect their luggage and meet you at the curb. To reduce congestion at Terminal 2, you can pick up passengers at the arrivals or departures edge.