The Transportation Security Administration expects Tuesday to be the busiest day to fly during the Thanksgiving travel period, which is Nov. 20 to Dec. 1 this year.
Whether you are planning travel via air or car, you'll be in crowded company.
A week after lifting the unprecedented flight restrictions it placed on commercial airlines during the shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration is preparing for its busiest Thanksgiving in 15 years, with more than 360,000 flights scheduled between Monday and next Tuesday.
That's more than 17.8 million people who will be screened at airports, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
While millions will fly to their thanksgiving tables, AAA projects 1.3 million more travelers will be on the roads than last year, pushing the total number of people traveling by car to at least 73 million.
LAX expects millions of Thanksgiving travelers
The Los Angeles International Airport is bracing for a busy week.
About 2.5 million travelers are expected to pass through LAX during the Thanksgiving travel period, according to airport officials.
They anticipate next Sunday to be the single busiest day, with 230,000 people expected to travel through their terminals.
To navigate the busy holiday period, officials recommend the following:
-Allow at least two hours before departure time
-Pre-book parking
-Plan ahead before arriving
You can find more details here.
Millions of travelers expected to pass through LAX during Thanksgiving rush
The government shutdown is over, but will it still affect Thanksgiving?
The turbulence caused by the longest U.S. government shutdown may still be fresh on the minds of travelers this Thanksgiving, but with the government back open at full capacity, the air space is too.
"We anticipate there's going to be solid staffing in our towers and TRACONs and centers throughout the airspace," said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Air traffic controllers have been reimbursed for missed paychecks, and things are operating noticeably smoother.
"I think the shutdown at this point is history for air travel. The airlines understand this time of year so well. They know exactly what they need to do," said Sheldon H. Jacobson, an airport and airlines operations expert. "The real challenge is making sure travelers can help themselves."
Driving to your destination? Here's what to know
Whether driving is your top choice or backup plan, AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz suggests checking your tires, car battery and fluids, then hitting the road with a full tank of gas as early as possible to avoid traffic. Last year, AAA said it responded to nearly 600,000 emergency roadside assistance calls during the Thanksgiving travel period to help drivers stranded by dead batteries, flat tires and empty tanks.
According to an analysis by Google Maps:
- Traffic on Wednesday is expected to be 14% heavier than usual between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with peak traffic from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- On Thanksgiving Day, the roads will be busiest between noon and 3 p.m.
- When it's time to head home, avoid driving from 12 to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, when traffic is heaviest.
Thanksgiving weather
You can't control the weather, but you can control how prepared you are if a storm hits. If your flight is canceled or delayed, will you drive instead or postpone or cancel your trip? Knowing your options ahead of time can reduce stress if a storm leaves you stranded.
ABC7's weather team has your Thanksgiving AccuWeather forecast to help you plan your trip accordingly.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.