Holiday Travel Guide

Thanksgiving holiday travel is already underway on the roads and in the sky. AAA Carolinas predicts that close to 1.5 million North Carolinians and 732,000 South Carolinians will travel 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving this holiday season – the most since 2005. The Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, Nov. 21 to Sunday, Nov. 25.

Of those traveling, 90% will do so by motor vehicle. With the surplus of drivers on the roads, AAA urges motorists to drive with caution and be prepared for heavy traffic.

“Despite higher gas prices than last year, we expect Carolinians to hit the road in record numbers this Thanksgiving holiday to spend time with their family and friends,” said Dave Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas. “With Thanksgiving being the busiest travel weekend of the year, we want to remind families to take extra measures to ensure safety on the highways.”

Prices are up at the pump:

 Motorists can expect to pay the highest Thanksgiving prices in four years. However, we have seen prices steadily decrease throughout October and November across both states.

For daily updated gas prices, click here.

Roadways:

In anticipation for the increased number of vehicles that will travel across North Carolina, troopers will be out in full force to monitor driver behavior.

“Thanksgiving is a time for loved ones to once again unite together”, said Col. Glenn McNeill Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol.  “Our mission is simple; reduce needless collisions in hopes of reporting zero fatalities statewide.”

Aligning with IACP’s Drive to Zero/Drive to Save Lives initiative, the NCSHP will also participate in the Thanksgiving I-40 Challenge, a joint operation among seven other states along the I-40 corridor.

The campaign will take place on the busiest travel days of the holiday, kicking off on Wednesday, November 21 and concluding Sunday, November 25.  During the event, troopers will be placed every 20 miles along the major interstate.

Travelers also need to be aware that there are a number of local roads that may have closures or lane restrictions that will be in place through the extended weekend. They can check on road conditions 24 hours a day by going to www.DriveNC.gov and using the drop-down menus to search by county, region or the specific roads they plan to use. During daytime hours, calling 511 will get live operators to provide travel assistance.

Drivers are urged to use caution and obey the posted speed limit when traveling through work zones, even if no construction activity is taking place.

Here are some additional tips for safe driving during the holiday season:

• Map your route in advance and be prepared for busy roads. If possible, consider leaving earlier or later to avoid heavy traffic.
• Don’t drive distracted. Put the phone away. Disconnect and Drive. Avoid behaviors such as eating, applying make-up and adjusting the navigation system.
• Keep valuables in the trunk or locked area.
• Have your roadside assistance contact information (eg:AAA) on hand in case an incident occurs on the road.
• Keep a cell phone and charger with you at all times, in case of emergency.
• Obey traffic safety laws: Wear your seatbelt. Don’t speed. Drive according to the weather and road conditions.
• With an increase in traffic, expect delays and incidents on the side of the road. Obey the Move Over Law.
• Be patient. Understand that everyone is in a hurry to get to their destination. Utilize turn signals, give drivers space and avoid road rage.

Use your seat belt, with an extra incentive being the annual Thanksgiving Click It or Ticket campaign will be under way through the holiday weekend, with law enforcement making sure drivers and passengers are buckled up.

Motorists can also assist by contacting *HP if they observe impaired or reckless driving.

Airport:

Industry experts are predicting a 7 percent increase overall in passenger traffic nationwide.

The busiest travel days this week will be Tuesday and Wednesday and the Sunday and Monday after Thanksgiving. The Airport is expecting approximately 30,000 originating passengers each of those days.  That compares to CLT’s daily local passenger average of 23,000. Add to that number, an additional 100,000 connecting passengers who are served daily. Originating passengers are those who use CLT’s parking facilities and security checkpoints.

*The numbers above are in addition to the approximately 100,000 passengers who connect through CLT daily.

To ensure a smooth traveling experience, passengers should plan ahead, be prepared and arrive early to the Airport  Be aware, roadways around the Airport will be congested.

Parking in High Demand 

Parking will be in high demand Tuesday, November 20 – Sunday, November 25 and available on a first come, first served basis. Long Term parking typically reaches capacity first. Be sure to visit parking.charlotteairport.com to view CLT’s real-time parking map or call 704.359.5555 to hear the latest parking conditions. 

For just $14 a day, the Business Valet Deck provides designated shuttles to and from the terminal’s upper level curbside. Valet attendants park vehicles and provide complimentary luggage assistance. Various auto services are offered for additional expenses.

Drivers are encouraged to use the Hourly Deck for picking up and dropping off passengers. It’s steps from the terminal, helps alleviate traffic on the curbside and the first hour is free. It includes 9 electrical vehicle charging stations for 18 vehicles. Those are located on levels 4, 5 and 6.

Using the Cell Phone Lot

CLT visitors can take advantage of the free Cell Phone Lot adjacent to Long Term Lot 1. Drivers may enter the lot off Josh Birmingham Parkway. The 150-space lot has one center aisle, making it easy to enter and exit. The location allows drivers direct access to the terminal via Josh Birmingham Parkway. Airport staff will be on hand for additional assistance during the holidays.

Terminal Renovations

Inside the Airport, terminal renovations are underway on Concourses A and B. During renovations, Airport operations will not be interrupted. Passengers, however, will see open ceilings and bare concrete flooring in some areas.

Security Checkpoints/American Airlines Ticketing Counters

TSA Security checkpoints and American Airlines ticketing counters will open at 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 20, Wednesday, November 21 and Sunday, November 25. Checkpoint assistance agents will be stationed at the entrance of each checkpoint to help expedite the screening process.

CLT Passenger Amenities

CLT continues to offer free WiFi throughout the terminal. Select the network “CLT Free WiFi” to be connected. For mothers flying with infants, the Mother’s Room provides a dedicated area for mothers who wish for more privacy to nurse their baby or pump breast milk away from the intrusion of the public. It is located on the upper level of the Atrium.

HMS Host Offering Special Meals on Thanksgiving Day 

The Airport’s concessionaire partner HMSHost will offer special menu items at 1897 Market and Brookwood Farms on Thanksgiving Day. Both restaurants are located in the Atrium.

1897 Market: Market Hot Brown – Smoked Joyce Farms Heritage Black Turkey, Pan Fried Pumpernickel, Roasted Carrots, Cranberry Jam, Pickled Ramp Relish for $17.99

Brookwood Farms: Southern Classic Thanksgiving – Maple Bourbon Smoked Turkey, Crispy Brussels, Honey Glazed Baby Carrots, Country Sausage Dressing, Spiced Cranberry Relish, Cheddar Cornbread for $12.99.

New Concessions & Retail Choices

The Airport and its partners HMSHost and Paradies Lagardère have introduced new food and retail choices. For local beer enthusiasts, NoDa Brewing Company (Concourse A) and The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (Concourse E) – two Charlotte landmarks-opened to rave reviews. Dylan’s Candy Bar (Atrium), opened in September and Chalice Café (Concourse C), inspired by Stella Artois, debuted in October. An eleventh Starbucks location opened on Concourse A Expansion in September. Panera Bread (Concourse A Expansion) began greeting passengers this morning.

For holiday shopping, Kiehl’s (D/E Connector), which offers various skincare products, debuted in June, and No Boundaries (D/E Connector), opened in September. No Boundaries caters to outdoor fanatics.

To accommodate the high passenger volumes this Thanksgiving, CLT plans to:

• Add more personnel to Airport shuttle bus and parking operations.
• Increase Airport staff in Ticketing.
• Station additional traffic officers on the upper and lower levels of Ticketing and Baggage Claim.

Passengers may plan their trip to the Airport by:

• Arriving to the Airport early.
• Visiting parking.charlotteairport.com and viewing CLT’s real-time parking map.
• Calling 704.359.5555 to hear the latest parking conditions.
• Slowing down and adhering to the signs when approaching the terminal.
• Paying attention to and following CLT’s dynamic roadway signs strategically located around Charlotte Douglas for information on which lots are open or closed.
• Using the Pay&Go stations when leaving the terminal for a quicker exit. Four Pay&Go stations are located in the Hourly Deck and at the Daily Deck’s shuttle bus stop. Remember to keep your ticket with you. Upon your return trip home, place your parking ticket in a Pay&Go station and pay by credit card. A validated ticket will be returned. Drivers may then proceed to any lane in the designated lots and insert their validated ticket in the machine to exit.

Travelers should also consider other travel options for arriving at the Airport, including:

• Carpooling
• Catching a ride to the terminal
• Taking a taxi, ride share or other form of transportation
• Riding the CATS Sprinter bus (Route 5 – Airport)

Holiday Travel Tips:

• View TSA’s travel tips at tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips.
• For up-to-date parking conditions and prices, call 704.359.5555 or visit parking.charlotteairport.com.
• Get dropped off at the Airport, carpool, ride CATS, or use one of the many taxi and ground transportation companies serving the Airport.
• Visitors picking up family or friends are encouraged to park in the Hourly Deck. It’s within walking distance to the terminal and the first hour is free.
• Another option – park in CLT’s free Cell Phone Lot, which recently relocated directly off Josh Birmingham Parkway. Just wait in your vehicle and ask your passenger to contact you when they claim their luggage, then drive to either level of the terminal to pick them up.
• Passengers can be picked up and dropped off along the terminal’s curbside, however, vehicles cannot be left unattended. Curbside parking is not allowed and unattended vehicles will be towed. This includes all lanes on the Ticketing and Baggage Claim levels.
• Uber & Lyft’s pickup areas are located on Baggage Claim curbside – Zone E for arriving passengers.
• Check with your airline for updated flight information, as well as baggage size and weight rules. Additional fees could be applicable.

Departing Passenger Tips:

• Passengers are advised to arrive early for their flights. When traveling with young children, infants, elderly or disabled passengers, allow for even more time. TSA advises arriving at least two hours before your flight.
• Ticket counters will begin opening at 3:30 a.m.
• TSA security Checkpoints A and B will open at 3:30 a.m. TSA Precheck lines are located at Checkpoints B & D.
• Checkpoint lines may be adjusted to accommodate the anticipated crowds. Pay close attention to signage directing you to the proper lines.
• Save time by printing boarding passes at home.
• Obtain specific information about Charlotte Douglas International Airport by visiting cltairport.com or by calling the Airport’s automated phone information line at 704.359.4910.
• Contact your airline for updated flight information or any weather related questions.
• Follow CLT’s Twitter feed (@CLTAirport) for the most up-to-date holiday travel tips, and visit parking.charlotteairport.com for real time parking information. For the latest Airport news, link to cltairport.com/news.

Travel Stats

By the numbers

• Automobiles: the vast majority of travelers – 1.36 million North Carolinians and 660,000 South Carolinians will hit the road this Thanksgiving, nearly 5 percent more than last year.
• Planes: The largest growth in holiday travel is by air, at 5.4 percent, with 103,000 North Carolinians and 51,000 South Carolinians flying to their destinations.
• Other modes (trains, cruises and buses): 42,000 North Carolinians will use other modes of transportation to arrive at their destination along with 21,000 South Carolinians.

Thanksgiving Traffic

Based on historical and recent travel trends, INRIX, in collaboration with AAA, predicts drivers will experience the greatest amount of congestion Thanksgiving week during the early evening commute period, with travel times starting to increase on Monday.

The most popular days to travel are the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving. If possible, plan your travel around these days (Thanksgiving day is the best day to be on the roads).

Over the Thanksgiving holiday period in 2017, there were 2,746 crashes in North Carolina resulting in 1,213 injuries and 23 fatalities, which is unfortunately up from the year before.

Law enforcement will be out in full force during the holiday. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol will take part in the Thanksgiving 1-40 Challenge – a joint operation among seven other states along the 1-40 corridor. Starting November 21, troopers will be placed every 20 miles along the major interstate.

Blackout Wednesday 

Thanksgiving eve has become a big night for binge drinking, as family and friends return home to reconnect for the holiday. Labeled “Blackout Wednesday,” many times the evening consists of over-drinking which can lead to drunk driving.

“Blackout Wednesday, also known as “Drinksgiving” rivals New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day,” said AAA Carolinas Traffic Safety Foundation President, Tiffany Wright. “With so many ride sharing services available such as Uber and Lyft, there is no excuse for getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol.”

In order to stay safe on the roads late at night, AAA urges motorists to:

• Never drink and drive. Have a designated sober driver in place if you plan to drink.
• Utilize a ride sharing service such as Uber, Lyft, or a taxi.
• Stay off the roads the night before Thanksgiving if possible.