Any one from Detroit area?

[soccer mom]

We'll be heading to DTW on Thanksgiving morning for a 10:37 a.m. flight. We usually take I-75 south to I-94 west to get to the airport.

Last year we had a 5:30 p.m. flight out on Thanksgiving Day and traffic and crowds were non-existant. I remember the ticket agent saying it had been busier in the morning, but how busy is busy?

Anyone out there driven to the airport from the Rochester area (north of Detroit) on Thanksgiving morning? How was traffic? How about crowds at the airport? Will the parade downtown affect us a lot? I know the day before is crazy but what about Thanksgiving day? I thought we might leave about 7:30 a.m. Under good conditions it takes us about 60-70 minutes to get to Quick Park by the airport.

 

[wdwcindy]

soccer mom,

I have never flown on Thanksgiving but wanted to give you a heads up about the construction on I-75 south at 7-mile. There are lane closures and if traffic is heavy that morning with people for the parade and other holiday traffic is could add 1/2 to 1 hour to your trip.

I drive from St Clair Shores and have found that taking I-696 west to the Southfield south (surface street for a couple miles and then freeway south of about 8-mile) to I-94 west work well for me. Southfield speed limit is a little slower but it seems to move pretty well. I will be taking this route the week after Thanksgiving.

Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[soccer mom]

Thanks wdwcindy,

With the parade 696 does make more sense with construction and the parade.

 

[travelbug]

Hi, soccermom! If avoiding I-75 and parade traffic that morning, another option for routing is I-696 to I-275. If you're going to the new terminal, there are exits for that terminal right off I-275. If you're flying out of the older terminals, then you get on I-94 East from 275 for just a short way. This route is slightly farther, but the traffic moves real well. (You know, typical Michigan freeway speed! ) You probably already know these routes, but thought I'd mention it just in case.

FWIW, I think that 7:30 AM sounds like a good time to leave home in order to comfortably make your 10:37 flight. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[scoggs]

Hey there - my questions are about timing and parking... I haven't flown in quite a few years, but I'm curious about a few things with the new "stuff" at Metro.... Do I still need to be at the airport 2 hours early if I've already got seat assignments etc?? What about parking? In the past I've always used an offsite place and taken a shuttle, but now I see that you can long term park at Metro for $5/day. We are flying Delta, so will be at the old terminal...and are flying out at 11 AM on 11/22, a Saturday. Any help or opinions you have about this would be so appreciated!!

 

[soccer mom]

scoggs

NWA's website says to get to the airport 75 minutes before flight time. I don't know what crowds are like on the day you are leaving, but I would think they are probably a little heavier than average. Check Delta's website and see if they suggest anything special for the holiday travels.

I still prefer to park off-sight and have a shuttle pick us up right in front of the terminal instead of lugging everything through the parking structure. We have and will use Quick Park which gives a AAA discount.

We have flown several times since 9-11 and haven't had any real delays. If you can, print your boarding passes as home and check your luggage at the curb. Then you only have security to deal with and they do a pretty good job of moving the crowds.


TRAVELBUG!!!

We have taken 696/275, but didn't know about the exits from 275. Thanks for the info!

 

[wdwcindy]

scoggs

I have flown out of both the new and old terminals since 9/11. The new terminal check in/security seems to go quicker than the old terminal. I would suggest getting to the terminal at least one and a half hours before your flight (I fly Spirit and Delta check in may be quicker).

I usually park offsite at US Park on Middlebelt. Like soccer mom said the shuttle drops you off near the doors of the terminal so no trudging throught the parking garage.

Have good trips all!