More than 54 million Americans will travel during Thanksgiving. Here are the days to avoid

Get ready for a busy trip home for Thanksgiving.

If you choose to drive, expect intense traffic. The AAA, a federation of motorcycle clubs from North America, estimates at 54.3 million the number of Americans who will travel more than 50 miles from home during the summer. Thanksgiving, an increase of 4.8% over last year. The AAA report, which was produced in collaboration with the INRIX mobility analysis company, indicates that it is the largest number of drivers since 2005.

"Thanksgiving is one of the busiest holidays for road trips and this year will be no different," said Trevor Reed, Transportation Analyst at INRIX. "Knowing when and where congestion will develop can help drivers avoid the stress of sitting in traffic. Our advice to motorists is to avoid travel times in major cities or to plan alternative routes. "

Historically low fares mean that Americans travel by plane more often than ever, said Airlines for America. A record 30.6 million passengers are expected to travel during the twelve-day Thanksgiving flight, the industry's professional organization said.

All these trips are expensive. About 40% of US air travelers have a family income of less than $ 50,000 and 58% have a combined income of less than $ 75,000. The average price of a plane ticket for Thanksgiving is $ 478 round trip.

This increase in passenger numbers has also resulted in increased flight delays and "bypassed" passengers, or denied boarding due to excessively expensive tickets, said Henrik Zillmer, CEO and founder of the compensation company AirHelp.

To completely avoid shocks and delays, pay attention to how you plan your trip, Zillmer said. Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 22 of this year. Thanksgiving itself should be the lightest travel day, according to Airlines for America.

Here are the three most busy days:

1. Sunday, November 25

2. Wednesday, November 21st

3. Friday, November 16

Here are the best days to travel by plane:

1. Monday 19th of November

2. Tuesday 20th November

3. Thursday, November 22

Watch for delays, keep receipts, and take other precautions to prepare for the crowd, Zillmer said. Arrive early at the airport to avoid long queues at security, get ready for higher baggage fees and familiarize yourself with your passenger rights prior to your arrival at the airport .

If an internal flight blocks you (or you "unintentionally refuse boarding") on an internal flight, you are entitled to 200% of their one-way trip – in compensation – not more than $ 675 – in cash if their delay is greater at one hour but less than two, according to a federal regulation.

If the delay is greater than two hours, you are entitled to 400% of one way (but not more than $ 1,350) in cash. If you use a European airline, you are entitled to an allowance of up to $ 700 for a delay of 3 hours or more.

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