Strategies For Travel Over Thanksgiving

The crowded scene at Union Station last year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving will probably be repeated this year. (Michael Robinson-chavez -- The Washington Post)

The annual trip to be with family and friends on Thanksgiving does not have to be painful. Here are suggestions and other information from transportation officials on how to make it to your destination in one piece:

Roads

This is the first year that Virginia toll plazas are part of the E-ZPass electronic toll collection system. That means Smart Tag users can zip through tollbooths from Virginia to Massachusetts without waiting in long lines.

Try to leave before 2 p.m. Wednesday. On the Sunday return trip, avoid driving between 2 and 7 p.m.

Have an alternate route planned in case of heavy traffic. AAA Mid-Atlantic recommends two routes:

• If heading south from the Washington area, take Interstate 66 west to Interstate 81 south to Interstate 77 south through Charlotte. From Charlotte, drivers can pick up interstate highways leading to South Carolina and Georgia. The route is longer than taking Interstate 95 but can be faster if I-95 is congested.

• Northbound travelers can avoid I-95 by taking Interstate 270 to Frederick, then Route 15 north to Harrisburg, Pa., and picking up I-81 north, which provides access to Interstates 78 and 80 for travel to eastern Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey or Interstates 84 and 88 for points in Upstate New York and much of New England.

Maryland and Virginia transportation officials said they will open lanes that have been closed for construction or maintenance work on many roadways from noon Wednesday till at least noon Friday.

The farther north you drive, the higher the price of gasoline. The reverse is true going south from Washington. The average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline in the D.C. area is $1.96, compared with $1.53 last year. Other current average prices: Virginia, $1.87; Maryland, $1.96; South Carolina, $1.86; Georgia, $1.82; New York, $2.13; Rhode Island, $2.04; Connecticut, $2.06; Massachusetts, $2.01; New Jersey, $1.92; Pennsylvania, $1.44.

Taking a turkey in the car? The Virginia Cooperative Extension suggests this as the safest method to transport the bird: Cook it a day early, then carve it and refrigerate the meat in a clean, shallow container. When departing, pack the meat and other perishable foods in an insulated cooler with ice or frozen gel packs.

Traveling with children? Consider taking books on audiotape, coloring books and compact travel games. You might want to surprise children with a new toy or game at the beginning of the trip. Make sure everyone has had enough to eat and drink before setting out. While traveling, avoid too much sugar and caffeine, and pass around a bag with individual servings of healthy snacks such as carrots, cheese sticks, apples, pretzels, crackers and juice in spill-proof containers.

Allow plenty of time for the trip, accounting for meal, bathroom and exercise breaks.

Airports

Arrive a few hours before scheduled departure -- not only because of the post-9/11 security procedures, but also because of the crush of holiday passengers.