Thanksgiving Travel Ramps Up in Oklahoma: Airports, Highways See Increased Activity

The Thanksgiving holiday rush is underway, and roads and airports across Oklahoma are becoming increasingly busy.

According to AAA, most Oklahomans will hit the road to visit family, while many others are flying out of Tulsa International Airport. AAA predicts that late afternoon Tuesday and Wednesday evening will be the busiest travel times this week.

Travelers at Tulsa International Airport report smooth experiences so far, with short wait times at security checkpoints.

DeeAnn Knoll, traveling to Charlotte to spend Thanksgiving with her family, praised the airport for its efficiency.

"When I get to Tulsa, I'm like, ahh, yeah, they’re friendly, they help you," Knoll said. She joked about her eight-day trip, adding, "We’ll be there eight days—‘til we run out of money—yeah, won’t take long, because there’s seven grandkids."

For Debbie Gersch, who arrived in Tulsa from Orlando, her flight was stress-free.

"That flight was pretty sparse, so we had our own row," Gersch shared, adding that she’s traveling with her 9-year-old daughter, who was already enjoying time with grandpa in Bartlesville.

AAA estimates nearly 700,000 Oklahomans will travel for Thanksgiving, with most opting to drive. "It's safe to expect, in addition to the busy airports, that highways will be more congested over the next week or so," Shawn Steward with AAA said.

Oklahoma also currently boasts the lowest gas prices in the nation, which has caught the attention of drivers like Eric Frakes of Inola.

"Compared to Texas and places like that, yeah, it’s a little lower," Frakes said.

Despite lower gas prices, AAA urges drivers to stay alert and avoid distractions, especially as highways become more congested in the coming days.

Looking ahead, Sunday and Monday are expected to be the busiest travel days, both on the roads and in the air. TSA anticipates record-breaking security screenings during the post-Thanksgiving rush.