RICHMOND (WINA) – Triple-A MidAtlantic predicts 1.4-million Virginians traveling 50 miles or more this Thanksgiving holiday… up 1.4% from last year but 5.5% shy from the record 2019. The counting period is from November 22 to 26. Triple-A’s Morgan Dean says 1.3-million will drive… up 1% from 2022 and down 4.7% from 2019.

Dean says 99,000 Virginians will fly… up 4% from last year, but down 12% from 2019. And nearly 25,000 make up the other category of bus, train, and cruises with is up 10.4% from last year, and 15% shy of 2019.

The busiest day is Wednesday with the best time to leave and avoid the traffic before 11am… or “late, late, late into the evening”, Dean says.

“Why is Wednesday so busy, that’s typically the day you find holiday travelers mingling in with the evening commute and it can mean some big-time backups.”

Sunday is also busy with the best time to leave before noon if you want to be in less traffic.