Experts Say Post-Thanksgiving Travel Home Should Be Smooth

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- On the road again! After a four-day weekend celebrating Thanksgiving, millions of holiday travelers nationwide are headed home.

As Gigi Barnett reports, whether by road or rail, experts say the trip should be a smooth one.

Through the skies, on the road or by rail, it's time to go home. Millions of Americans are returning from the busiest travel holiday of the year this weekend.

"Trying to get tickets to come back. We literally booked our tickets this morning at one and it was just crazy," said holiday traveler Joy Zhou.

The majority went by car and while they were away, AAA says the gas prices didn't budge.

"Motorists coming home returning from their Thanksgiving travel should be happy to see that gas prices will either be the same or perhaps lower when they took off on their venture," said Ragina Averella, AAA Mid-Atlantic.

AAA says most people surveyed said they would return home on Sunday but many more will leave a day later to avoid the holiday rush.

"The same tips apply when you're coming home as they do when you leave: make sure you try to avoid those peak times," Averella said.

Sofia Mazht is returning to Vassar College. She has to leave on Sunday in time for classes on Monday. Her classmates will have to hustle.

"A lot of my friends, especially those who had to fly very far out of state, are coming back on Monday," she said.

AAA says although gas prices are lower than they were a couple of weeks ago--and they should stay that way until the end of the year--drivers are still paying more. This time last year, gas was 11 cents cheaper.

A little more than 800,000 Marylanders traveled by car this holiday weekend.