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KCI sees increase in Thanksgiving travelers

Roads also expected to be busy
Posted at 8:30 AM, Nov 21, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-21 10:08:55-05

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With Thanksgiving comes one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.

Across the country, approximately 30 million people will be flying.

At KCI, officials expect about 430,000 passengers between the Friday before Thanksgiving and the Tuesday after. That number is a 5.2 percent increase from last year. 

KCI spokesman Joe McBride said his main message for travelers is to plan ahead. 

"The challenge for Thanksgiving is it's peak time for leisure travelers who don't travel that often. So the ones that travel all the time know to arrive early; leave all their liquids and three-ounce containers in a baggie, shoes off ready to go," McBride said. "It's the people that don't travel very often that are unfamiliar with the drill of screening through the airport."

To check a flight status, go to flykci.com.

Around 48.5 million people will be driving to their destinations.

It's the highest number since 2005, and a lot of it has to do with lower gas prices.

The national average is $2.62, which is seven cents cheaper than just last week.

Missouri and Kansas are two of the top 10 least-expensive markets for gas. Missouri was at number one with $2.27 and Kansas at eighth at $2.36.

Drivers should be aware that gas may be more expensive along highly-traveled routes than in town.