Chicago Area Local News

CHICAGO (CBS) ― If you are preparing to hit the roads or head to the airport today, pack your patience. Millions of travelers are heading out of town for the holiday weekend.

Despite a recession and higher gas prices this year -- and lousy weather forecast for today and Thursday in the Chicago region -- more people are driving.

Drivers flocked to the Kennedy Expressway on what's considered the busiest travel day of the year. Meanwhile, at the Amoco station on Congress, holiday traveler Vijay Ramani was preparing to hit the road.

"I'm gassing up the car and heading out to Michigan," he said.

AAA predicts 33 million people will be taking road trips this weekend, which is slightly more than last Thanksgiving. In Illinois, just over 2 million people will be driving -- a 4 percent increase from last year.

"The last couple of seasons we've been here. This time, it's our turn to head out," Ramani said.

What are people doing to avoid getting stuck in delays?

"I'm hoping I got an early start," holiday traveler Lauren Monday said. "I'm assuming, after 5, it's gonna be pretty backed up."

While more people are driving, fewer people are flying. AAA reports an almost 7 percent decrease from a year ago, although you wouldn't know that from the looks of things at O'Hare International Airport today. Amid the hustle and bustle of passengers, there were long lines to get through security.

"Traveling that day before Thanksgiving, you really need to be prepared for the worst," Orbitz Travel expert Jeannene Tornature said.

That's why some people are already preparing for the trip home.

"We're flying back also on Saturday, instead of Sunday, to avoid crowds," traveler Barb Peterson said.

Air travelers to the East Coast ran into a little turbulence. The Chicago Department of Aviation was reporting 30-minute delays out of O'Hare International Airport to destinations on the East Coast. Delays were being caused by weather on the East Coast, including fog and rain.

No other flight delays were being reported at O'Hare or Midway as of about noon, according to Aviation.

Between Nov. 20 and Nov. 30, the total number of people to have traveled through O'Hare and Midway international airports is expected to top out at 2.4 million, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation.

The department advises travelers to take extra time to get to the airport, get their tickets, and check their baggage. Travelers are advised to arrive at least two hours before their flight departure.

Travelers are reminded to observe the Transportation Security Administration restrictions on carry-on luggage. Liquids must be placed in 3.4-ounce bottles or less, in one quart-sized clear plastic zip-top bag. Only one bag per person is permitted. Also, travelers are reminded that they may not wear gel inserts in their shoes.

To accommodate additional travelers, the Chicago Transit Authority will provide longer trains on the Blue, Brown, Green and Orange lines on Wednesday afternoon.

Blue Line passengers can reach O'Hare Airport from the Loop's Clark/Lake station in about 45 minutes, the CTA said. Elevated train passengers can transfer to the Blue Line for no additional charge at the Clark/Lake station. Red Line customers can connect to the Blue Line by using the pedestrian transfer tunnel at the Jackson station.

Passengers can also transfer to the Blue Line from all east-west bus routes between Grand and Foster avenues and from some north-south bus routes, the CTA said.

Orange Line trains provide direct service to Midway Airport. In the Loop, customers can transfer to Orange Line trains at the Clark/Lake station free no charge, the CTA said. Additionally, Red Line customers can transfer to the Orange Line at the Roosevelt station at no extra charge.

The CTA will operate on a Sunday/holiday schedule on Thanksgiving Day. Normal weekday service will resume Friday, the CTA said.

Parking is also available at both airports, although it will cost a lot more than taking public transit. At O'Hare, parking rates are $2 for the first hour and $4 for the second and third hours, and at Midway, rates are $2 for 10 to 30 minutes, $4 for one hour or less, $6 for two hours or less, and $2 for each additional hour.

Meanwhile, plenty of Chicagoans will be sticking to terrestrial routes for traveling this Thanksgiving holiday.

AAA Chicago expects 38.4 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this weekend, among them just over 2 million Illinoisans. Of those travelers, 33.2 million will use cars, 2.3 million will fly, and 2.9 million will take trains, watercraft and buses.

Nationally, the number of projected Thanksgiving travelers is 3 percent higher than Thanksgiving weekend last year, although the number of air travelers is down.

"Although far too many Americans remain unemployed or under other financial stress, AAA's projected increase in Thanksgiving travel from one year ago is another hopeful sign that economic conditions are stabilizing and improving in some areas. We can also be thankful the gradual recovery we have been seeing in the U.S. travel industry since the start of the summer is continuing," Brad Roeber, AAA Chicago regional president, said in a news release.

Gas prices are up significantly compared with last year. Currently, the average for a gallon of regular unleaded gas is $2.63. In Illinois, the average is $2.69, and in Indiana $2.52.

But with economic times still tough, some Chicagoans say they're taking a pass on holiday travel altogether.

Chicagoan Gregory Hudson, for example, says he thought about heading to his father's place in Greenville, Miss., but the hotel doorman says travel costs changed his mind.

The 51-year-old says he'll roast a Thanksgiving turkey at his own home instead and celebrate with a few friends and family.

Hudson says he has the Thanksgiving spirit but with a difference this year. He says his turkey will be smaller and the trimmings more sparse to save money.

For everyone traveling this weekend, the weather isn't going to be pretty. Drizzle this morning is expected to give way to steady showers in the afternoon. When Thursday comes around, the rain is expected in turn to give way to snow showers, and winds will gust up to 30 mph in the afternoon.
 
CBS 2's Susan Carlson, the Associated Press and the Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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