Thanksgiving countdown: Tracking your turkey day trot!

Hello Houston, welcome back! Can you believe we are exactly one week away from Thanksgiving? That is wild to me. Time is flying!

If you’re planning on spending a few extra days with loved ones this year and beat the traffic, according to data collected by Waze last year, the Thanksgiving holiday travel forecast shows it’s better to head out Monday or Tuesday before turkey day. Thanksgiving Day itself is actually the least trafficked of the entire holiday weekend.

The Wednesday before the Thanksgiving holiday will be a traffic nightmare, as AAA Texas projects it to be the busiest day on the road. For a full breakdown of the best and worst times to hit the road, go here.

Before you head out for your big road trip to grandma’s house, make sure your car is in tip-top shape:

• Have you checked your wipers recently? Make sure defrosters and all windshield wipers work and replace any worn blades.
• Pack your car charger for your cell phone: you don’t want to get stranded with low phone battery
• Don’t forget to assemble your emergency roadside kit. Go here for a look at what you should include.

If you’re going to enjoy some holiday apple cider with a little adult kick, just remember: don’t drink and drive. Plan your ride home ahead of time. Let’s keep everyone safe this Thanksgiving holiday.

Drive safely my friends :)

Anavid Reyes

KPRC 2 traffic expert

Have a traffic question? I can help.

What do you want to know about Houston traffic? Ask here! And if you want your question answered live on TV, send me a video of yourself asking your traffic question in a private message on my Facebook page here!

Airports

If you’re catching a flight this year for the Thanksgiving holiday, Houston Airports encourages you to do these things:

• Book your parking spot early, online,
• Remember to go over the TSA rules for prohibited items,
• And travel with carry-on and avoid checking in a bag.

If you’re flying out Bush Airport, expect construction delays, so plan to arrive at least two hours before your flight.

Recent questions

• Ask 2: How’s the progress coming along with the work on the Ship Channel Bridge?
• FIRST ON 2: Here is the latest update on the 59/610 interchange project

Construction closures

• Pasadena: SH-225 eastbound from Red Bluff Road to Pasadena Boulevard has one lane closed due pavement repair. This will happen daily until 6 p.m. Nov. 23.

Houston’s big projects

• The Gulf Freeway Expansion
• The Grand Parkway
• The West Loop-Southwest Freeway Interchange Rebuild

Get your traffic news, maps and route planner 24/7 at Click2Houston.com/traffic.