NEW ORLEANS — AAA projects a record 81.8 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles between Nov. 25 and Dec. 1, marking a 1.6 million increase from last year and reaffirming Thanksgiving as the nation’s busiest travel holiday.

says an estimated 73.3 million are expected to drive. That figure could rise further as some passengers shift to road travel if airline cancellations continue. according to AAA. Hertz, AAA’s rental partner, identifies Wednesday as the busiest car pick-up day, with high demand in Orlando, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Miami, and Newark. AAA booking data shows domestic rentals averaging 15% less than last year.

INRIX, a transportation data firm, expects the heaviest traffic on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons before Thanksgiving, with major delays also expected on Sunday.

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