OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — AAA predicts that more than 480,000 Oklahomans will be among the 55.4 million Americans who will travel 50 miles or more away from home over the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday weekend with an increase of 1.1% compared to the previous year for Oklahoma Thanksgiving travel volume.

According to AAA, it is consistent with most travel holidays, 9 in 10 travelers – or about 442,000 Oklahomans – will be driving to their Thanksgiving holiday destinations. The number of road travelers is slightly more than last year. In addition, those drivers will feel less pain at the pumps during their road trip fill-ups.

Rylie Fletcher, spokesperson for AAA Oklahoma, said, “The good news is gas prices are lower than last year in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, giving Americans a little extra money to spend on travel and motivating millions to take road trips. For Oklahomans, the news is even better at more than 40 cents less than the national average.”

AAA has a variety of resources to help motorists save on fuel:

• Fuel Price Finder (http://www.AAA.com/fuelfinder) locates the lowest fuel price in your area.
• AAA Gas Cost Calculator (http://gasprices.aaa.com/aaa-gas-cost-calculator/) helps budget travel expenses.
• TripTik Mobile (http://www.aaa.com/mobile) plots fuel prices along your travel route.

According to INRIX, the busiest day on the road during the Thanksgiving holiday period will be Wednesday, November 22. It is recommended that travelers should leave in the morning or after 6 pm to avoid the heaviest holiday congestion.

Flights and airports will be packed this holiday season. AAA is projecting about 32,000 Oklahoma residents will take to the skies over the Thanksgiving travel period, representing a 3.7% jump compared to 2022. Nationwide, 4.7 million Americans will travel by air for Thanksgiving.

Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving are the busiest air travel days ahead of the holiday and the most expensive. AAA data shows Monday is also a popular day to fly back after Thanksgiving.

“If you’re flying this Thanksgiving, airport parking spaces fill up fast, so reserve a spot ahead of time and arrive early,” Fletcher suggests. “Anticipate longer than usual TSA lines, and leave extra time to navigate through the airport. If possible, avoid checking a bag to allow for more flexibility if your flights are delayed or you need to reschedule.”

Below are AAA tips for winter vehicle maintenance

• Battery: Clean any corrosion from battery posts and cable connections and wash all surfaces with battery terminal cleaner or a solution of baking soda and water. Even at 32 degrees, a battery is 35% weaker. At zero degrees, a car’s battery loses about 60% of its strength, yet the engine needs about twice as much power to start. If your battery is three years or older, have it checked by a professional to ensure it is strong enough to face cold weather. AAA members can request a visit from a AAA Mobile Battery Service technician who will test their battery and replace it on-site, if necessary.
• Tires: Examine tires for tread depth, uneven wearing and cupping. Check tire pressures once a month when tires are cold, before driving any distance.
• Engine: Have any engine drivability problems corrected at a good repair shop. Symptoms like hard starts, rough idling, stalling or diminished power could signal a problem that can be exacerbated by cold weather. Engine hoses and belts should be inspected for wear or cracking.
• Fluids: Important system fluids such as engine coolant/anti-freeze, transmission and brake fluids should be checked and changed at recommended intervals.
• Exhaust: Have your mechanic check the exhaust system for leaks and look for any holes in the trunk and floorboards.
• Brakes: Inspect brakes as recommended in your owner’s manual, or sooner if you notice pulsations, pulling, noises while braking or longer stopping distance. Correct minor brake problems promptly.
• Wipers: Replace worn windshield-wiper blades. Purchase one-piece beam-type or rubber-clad “winter” blades to fight snow and ice build-up. Use cold-weather windshield washer solvent and carry an ice scraper.
• Lights: Inspect all lights and bulbs and replace burned-out bulbs. Clean road grime or clouding from all lenses.

AAA recommends everyone pack a vehicle emergency kit.

According to AAA, more than 40% of motorists do not carry an emergency kit in their vehicle.

An emergency kit should include:

• Fully charged mobile phone pre-programmed with rescue apps and important phone numbers including family and emergency services as well as a car charger
• Bottled water
• First-aid kit
• Non-perishable snacks for both human and pet passengers
• Bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, cat litter) or traction mats
• Snow shovel
• Blankets
• Extra warm clothing (coat, gloves, hats, scarves)
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Window washer solvent
• Ice scraper with brush
• Cloth or roll of paper towels
• Jumper cables
• Waring devices (flares or triangles)
• Basic toolkit (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench)

For more information, visit AAA.com.