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Opinion

Columnists

November 20, 2009 at 1:00 am

Ease stress of holiday traveling

Plan route ahead of time, arrive at airport early, consider all options to avoid hassles

Fill up your tank a day or two before the holidays to save money.
Fill up your tank a day or two before the holidays to save money. (Matt Rourke / Associated Press)

There are three things you can count on at Thanksgiving: Americans will overeat, airports will be flooded and drivers will crowd freeways.

But there are ways to increase the holiday spirit and limit the stress while traveling. Here are my tips:

  • Fill your gas tank a day or two before Thanksgiving; gas stations usually spike their prices by a few cents a gallon on Thursdays and the day before a holiday.

  • Not exactly sure how far it is to your destination? Try AAA of Michigan's trip calculator at aaa.com for an accurate count or other mapping sites online.

  • Check the air in your spare tire. If it has been bouncing around in your trunk for years, it may have gradually lost air.

  • Carrying gifts in your vehicle? Be sure to hide them so you don't become the victim of a smash-and-grab thief.

  • For weather and road conditions, consult the travel advisory provided by the Michigan State Police at ohsp.state.mi.us/rw.

  • The majority of road construction projects will be suspended for the holiday, but there may still be problem areas across Michigan.

    For information on construction projects, call the following hot lines: Metro Detroit (800)-641-6368; Ann Arbor (734) 994-2917; North (888) 304-6368; west and southwest (616) 482-7283; statewide (888) 305-7283; AAA Road Report (800) 411-4823.

    If you're flying:

  • Arrive at the airport early: lines are long, security is tighter and baggage moves slower.

  • Consider pre-shipping your luggage to your destination. There are numerous courier services that will pick up and drop off your luggage.

  • If you don't like parking at the airport, consider off-site parking lots around the airport. These sites offer free shuttle service to all the airlines and often offer discounts to lure in motorists.

  • Consider alternate airports, which usually are less crowded, less expensive and less stressful.

    tgreenwood@detnews.com">tgreenwood@detnews.com (313) 222-2023

    Roadwork

    A brief update on major road projects around Metro Detroit. Go to detnews.com/commuting to see the full list.
    I-94: From 9 a.m. to noon Saturday the right lane EB will be closed at the Southfield Freeway. From noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, the left lane EB will be closed.
    I-94: Sunday, the two left lanes WB will be shut at the Southfield Freeway; from noon to 3 p.m., the right lane WB will be closed.
    I-696: A single lane will be open between I-94 and Hayes from 8 p.m. today until 5 a.m. Monday. The ramp from WB I-94 to WB I-696 will be closed at the same time.
    I-696: The right lane WB will be closed at Southfield Road from 7:30 a.m. until noon Sunday.
    U.S. 24 Business Route (Square Lake Road): One lane will be open from Telegraph to Woodward from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
    U.S. 12 (Michigan Avenue): The right lane will be closed EB from Oakwood Boulevard to Elm Street in Dearborn from 9 a.m. today until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
    M-59: WB will be down to one lane from Dequindre to Rochester from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.
    Romeo Plank: All five lanes are open from 19 Mile to Hall Road after a widening project.
    Oakwood Road: Oakland County will close this road all day Saturday from Sashabaw to North Hadley for installation of a culvert.
    Bridgeview: Macomb County is replacing the bridge over the Clinton River, between South River and North River roads in Harrison Township. The bridge should reopen to traffic in mid-December.

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