PORTLAND, Ore. — If you're planning on hitting the road this Thanksgiving holiday, expect heavy congestion and very busy roads, AAA Oregon/Idaho says.
The worst time to travel will be Tuesday afternoon from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. and Wednesday from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m., AAA Oregon/Idaho reports.
"However, keep in mind we’re seeing a dramatic increase in the number of Thanksgiving travelers this year so even if you do travel outside of those peak times, you’re still likely to have lots of company on the roads with you,” said spokeswoman Marie Dodds.
The heaviest traffic in the greater Portland area is expected on Interstate 5, Highway 217 and Interstate 84.
AAA warns that travel to some areas could take two or three times as long as normal.
“We are seeing so much Thanksgiving travel this year," Dodds said. "It’s the highest volume we’ve seen for Thanksgiving since 2005. So, second-highest travel volume on record."
AAA says over 54 million people in the United States will travel 50 miles or more for the holiday.
INRIX, a company which studies traffic in Kirkland, Washington released information for the worst travel areas for Thanksgiving Day.
RELATED: Tips for flying on Thanksgiving
Here they are, ordered by ranking, with the location and direction:
- I-5 S @ WILSONVILLE RD — SOUTHBOUND
- I-5 N @ WA — NORTHBOUND
- I-205 S @ OR-43 — SOUTHBOUND
- I-205 N @ WA-14 — NORTHBOUND
- OR-99W S @ SW KRUGER RD/SW SUNSET BLVD — SOUTHBOUND
- I-5 S @ BUTTEVILLE RD/MILEY RD — SOUTHBOUND
- I-84 W @ I-5 — WESTBOUND
- I-5 S @ TERWILLIGER BLVD — SOUTHBOUND
- OR-217 S @ I-5 — SOUTHBOUND
- OR-8 W @ WITCH HAZEL RD — WESTBOUND
- US-26 E @ I-205 — EASTBOUND
- OR-99E S @ US-26/ROSS ISLAND BRIDGE/WOODWARD ST — SOUTHBOUND
- OR-99W S @ SW 124TH AVE — SOUTHBOUND
- OR-8 E @ SW 185TH AVE — EASTBOUND
- OR-99W N @ I-5 — NORTHBOUND
Source: INRIX