Thursday, 4:30 PM
The holiday travel crunch begins
(David L. Ryan/Globe Staff Photo)
Students with bags stuffed with gifts and laundry lined up today for the Green Line T on Commonwealth Avenue near Boston University to get out early for the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend.
By Andrew Ryan, Globe Correspondent
Travelers who want to get jump on holiday traffic should leave -- now.
"People are already making their escape," said Jeff Larson of SmartRoute Systems Inc., the Cambridge traffic-watching firm. "From 1 p.m. [Wednesday] on there will be quite a lot of congestion."
The American Automobile Association estimated that 38.3 million people will travel 50 or more miles this Thanksgiving, a 2.7 percent increase from last year. That includes 31.7 million people in autos; 4.8 million in planes; and 1.9 million travelers in trains, buses, or other modes of transportation.
"Just keep in mind if you are planning on leaving early on Wednesday, you really have to leave early," Larson said. "Leaving early means before noon."
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration wants air travelers to remember that any liquids, gels or aerosols for carry-on must be in small, 3-ounce bottles and stored in clear plastic bags. Liquids in larger containers must be placed in checked baggage. Officials also reminded travelers not to wrap gifts.
For other TSA travel tips, click here.
Heading to Logan International Airport, the Interstate 90 westbound connector tunnel remains closed. Traffic watchers were starting to see backups on the Pike headed to Logan as early as last Thursday.
For more information, check the Globe's traffic blog Stops & Starts.
