Long, last-minute drive on Thanksgiving Day...

[AmericangirlinFrance]

Looks like I may be making a "road trip" at the last minute on Thanksgiving Day itself to see some friends and family.

I've never actually driven anywhere on Thanksgiving itself; this will be about a 13 hour drive. Will anything be open? (gas stations, restaurants) Is traffic usually a little better on Thanksgiving itself or should I be prepared for the worst? I'm in the south, so weather won't be a factor, thankfully.

I'll be driving it alone so I need to think of some things to occupy my time and keep me from crazy for so long in the car!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Looks like I may be making a "road trip" at the last minute on Thanksgiving Day itself to see some friends and family.

I've never actually driven anywhere on Thanksgiving itself; this will be about a 13 hour drive. Will anything be open? (gas stations, restaurants) Is traffic usually a little better on Thanksgiving itself or should I be prepared for the worst? I'm in the south, so weather won't be a factor, thankfully.

I'll be driving it alone so I need to think of some things to occupy my time and keep me from crazy for so long in the car!

Most, if not all gas stations and restaurants along the interstates should be open. And, traffic should be less than the day before.

I suggest starting very early in the morning, stopping every two hours for a brief break, and get a good night's sleep before starting.

 

[Disney Doll]

Actuallyy, it is often better to drive ON Thanksgiving Day than on the day or two before, the theory being that on Thanksgiving Day people have pretty much gotten to where they are going already, having clogged up the highways for the days or two before.

I am sure if your drive is mostly interstate that there will be rest stops open, as well as gas stations off the highways...usually there are at least a few open. As far as food, if you're concerned, pack a cooler with some sandwiches and snack foods to tide you over just in case. I have known people who have also carried a can of gas, but I hesitate to recommend that because I have visions of someone getting into an accident and having their gas can in their car explode. I hate driving the 5 minutes from the gas station to my houose when I have the gas cans in the car for the lawnmower, weed whacker and snowblower.

I'd also agree with the PP who said leave early in the day...I'd almost start driving at like 3 or 4 am, because then you'd get to where you're going by the afternoon.

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

Actuallyy, it is often better to drive ON Thanksgiving Day than on the day or two before, the theory being that on Thanksgiving Day people have pretty much gotten to where they are going already, having clogged up the highways for the days or two before.

I am sure if your drive is mostly interstate that there will be rest stops open, as well as gas stations off the highways...usually there are at least a few open. As far as food, if you're concerned, pack a cooler with some sandwiches and snack foods to tide you over just in case. I have known people who have also carried a can of gas, but I hesitate to recommend that because I have visions of someone getting into an accident and having their gas can in their car explode. I hate driving the 5 minutes from the gas station to my houose when I have the gas cans in the car for the lawnmower, weed whacker and snowblower.

I'd also agree with the PP who said leave early in the day...I'd almost start driving at like 3 or 4 am, because then you'd get to where you're going by the afternoon.

Yeah, that's what I'm hoping - that traffic will be better on Thanksgiving Day, rather than before. I have to drive through Atlanta and some major Florida cities though, so that could be lots of fun...

I am definitely going to leave as early as possible.

 

[golfgal]

Have you checked into flying? If you can travel ON Thanksgiving, sometimes there are some good deals.

 

[Disney Doll]

Yeah, that's what I'm hoping - that traffic will be better on Thanksgiving Day, rather than before. I have to drive through Atlanta and some major Florida cities though, so that could be lots of fun...

I am definitely going to leave as early as possible.

My DH used to live in Boston and he would leave on Thanksgiving morning to come home. He said the trip woud take him the usual 3 hours or so, so he'd leave atabout 7am and be home by 10am. If he left on the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving, it could be a 5-7 hour trip with traffic.

 

[klacey1]

My DH used to live in Boston and he would leave on Thanksgiving morning to come home. He said the trip woud take him the usual 3 hours or so, so he'd leave atabout 7am and be home by 10am. If he left on the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving, it could be a 5-7 hour trip with traffic.

Ahh, don't say that! I thought Tuesday wasn't supposed to be bad! I volunteered to pick up DBF's sister in college in Providence on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. I was hoping the drive back to NY would be pretty much as usual!

 

[crazelion]

Yes most gas stations and restaurants will be open. The restaurants might be on limited hours. We doubt pretty sure the Waffle house will be open.

I like everyone else make sure take breaks and walk around the rest stop.

I would pack cooler with drinks and junk food because the gas stations might have sold out junk food.

Be sure have directions on where going too.

 

[AllisonK]

Ahh, don't say that! I thought Tuesday wasn't supposed to be bad! I volunteered to pick up DBF's sister in college in Providence on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. I was hoping the drive back to NY would be pretty much as usual!

I'm making pretty much the same drive tomorrow... NY to MA (20 min past Providence) for the first time by myself! I've done the drive to school but never home. (This is my first year having a car at school) I don't have to come back to NY until Sunday (traffic, again, I know) but I'm hoping if I leave early enough tomorrow (9 a.m.) I'll be ok...

 

[klacey1]

I'm making pretty much the same drive tomorrow... NY to MA (20 min past Providence) for the first time by myself! I've done the drive to school but never home. (This is my first year having a car at school) I don't have to come back to NY until Sunday (traffic, again, I know) but I'm hoping if I leave early enough tomorrow (9 a.m.) I'll be ok...

I think you'll be fine! I have to do NY to Prov and back again! Good luck to both of us!!