Travelers should expect an increase in traffic congestion this holiday season

JACKSON, TN (WNBJ) - All across the states, Americans are preparing to travel for the holidays. Whether they are taking to the friendly skies or the bustling roadways travel experts say travelers should expect congestion.

“Of the 53.4 million Americans who are predicted to travel this Thanksgiving, we will see 1.2 million Tennesseans who are traveling for Thanksgiving," said Stephanie Milani, TN Public Affairs Director with AAA - The Auto Club Group.

AAA is predicting an almost 12 percent rebound from last year’s travel numbers.

“People are ready to hit the roads. With the U.S. Borders open up, with vaccines available people are feeling more confident about traveling this year,” said Stephanie Milani, TN Public Affairs Director with AAA - The Auto Club Group.

Goose Insurance is a mobile app where consumers can buy travel, pet, and renter's insurance.

“The airports will be extremely busy and also people are more concerned what happens if something happens because of COVID or if I get ill. If they need to be hospitalized or see a physician while they are on their trip and what happens if your trip is interpreted,” said Pamela Kwiatkowski, VP, and Co-Founder of Product at Goose Insurance.

Goose Insurance wants people to be aware that they can purchase travel insurance to protect themselves while traveling.

“We have a COVID-19 specific travel insurance policy for when Americans travel outside the U.S. It covers the cost of their trip if it has to be canceled in advance of departure. Or what we call trip interruption if something happens during their trip and the trip gets interrupted. Those non-refundable costs will be refunded back to the insurer so it covers pre-trip and post-trip,” said Pamela Kwiatkowski, VP, and Co-Founder of Product at Goose Insurance.

AAA says the busiest day for travel will be Wednesday.