Thanksgiving Traffic: Better Than Last Year (Thank Gas Prices)

The good news is, roadways will be slightly less congested than they were last year, meaning that you’ll make better time getting over the river and through the woods.

The bad news? The drop in traffic stems from record-high gas prices, which currently average $3.43 for a gallon of unleaded regular. Not helping: lingering uncertainty about the economy, thanks in part to countless media headlines about the looming “fiscal cliff”. And while traffic will be lighter on the whole, it’ll be heavier in certain metro areas.

These predictions come from INRIX, a leader in the field of traffic data. According to the company’s Director of Community Relations, Jim Bak, your Thanksgiving travel will be better in 2012, but it still won’t be much of a picnic: “While traffic congestion over Thanksgiving will not be nearly as bad as years past, rush hour will peak 2 hours earlier than normal. Our advice to drivers is to leave before 2 p.m.or wait until after 6 p.m "

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