Thanksgiving getaway starts with 49 million people hitting the roads, 4.5 million at airports

This year, more than 55 million people will be traveling home for Thanksgiving via planes, trains and automobiles in what is estimated to be the third-busiest travel period on record. QUEENS, NY: One way traffic on the Belt Parkway in Queens on November 23 as people travel for Thanksgiving on what is expected to be the busiest day on the roads as travel returns to pre-pandemic levels O'HARE AIRPORT, CHICAGO: Travelers wait at the security check point as an estimated 4.5 million people are expected to travel by air for the holiday, with Chicago, Atlanta and New York forecasted to be among the busiest hubs O'HARE AIRPORT, CHICAGO: A passenger is seen sleeping as she waits for her flight out of Chicago JFK AIRPORT, NYC: The early start proved too much for some who snuck in a nap while waiting for their flights JFK AIRPORT, NYC: Long lines remain persistent on Wednesday at the New York airport. Thanksgiving Eve on Wednesday tends to be the busiest day for travel PENNSYLVANIA STATION, NYC: While the airports see their own congestion, the volume of travelers at Penn Station is expected to rise as an estimated 1.4 million people take the trains and buses home this Thanksgiving PENNSYLVANIA STATION, NYC: Several people were seen getting some rest at Moynihan Train Hall on Wednesday PENNSYLVANIA STATION, NYC: The New York train hub is expected to be one of the busiest in the nation for the holiday GRAND CENTRAL STATION, NEW YORK: Similar traffic is expected to hit the station as travelers flood the railroads GRAND CENTRAL STATION, NEW YORK: Travelers were seen lugging their bags across the terminal for New Haven Lane BROOKLYN, NY: Along with New York City, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles will be hit worst by road congestion this week as traffic is predicted to more than double LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: LA roads were congested at 49 million travelers hit the road for the holiday O'HARE AIRPORT, CHICAGO: On Wednesday morning, security checkpoints were already backed up at the air hub STUCK IN TRAFFIC? Thanksgiving getaway travelers skip the airport traffic and opt for the AirTrain to JFK as dawn breaks over New York City PENNSYLVANIA STATION, NYC: Massive lines were already forming on Wednesday morning in Moynihan Train Hall PENNSYLVANIA STATION, NYC: Travelers were crowding around lines as they made their way through the terminal PENNSYLVANIA STATION, NYC: With a high volume of travelers, police presence has ramped up at the train terminal GRAND CENTRAL STATION, NEW YORK: A traveler is seen rushing to her train with her child in tow O'HARE AIRPORT, CHICAGO: Security check points were congested on Wednesday morning at the airport O'HARE AIRPORT, CHICAGO: Passengers are dealing with long, winding lines on the busiest travel day of the year O'HARE AIRPORT, CHICAGO: American Airlines predicts that this year's travel week will be less hectic than previous years O'HARE AIRPORT, CHICAGO: This year's travel is nearly on par with 2019, which was the busiest on record O'HARE AIRPORT, CHICAGO: Drop-off chaos at Chicago's O'Hare departure terminals as travelers get away for their Thanksgiving breaks PENNSYLVANIA STATION, NYC: Travelers are seen exiting the busy train station on Wednesday Airports have seen an increased number of passengers as the travel industry continues to rebound, leaving many with high ticket prices as the holiday season kicks off. PENNSYLVANIA STATION, NYC: Pictured: A mother sitting on the floor with her child as she waits for her train to arrive O'HARE AIRPORT, CHICAGO: Passengers are seen contending with long wait times throughout the nation's airports PENNSYLVANIA STATION, NYC: Travelers flooded Penn Station as they carried their luggage through the terminal MILWAUKEE MITCHELL AIRPORT, WISCONSIN: Passengers in the Midwest and Northwest could see their travel plans foiled by a storm system in the area that is moving westward NEWARK AIRPORT, NEW JERSEY: Passengers waited for their flight out of New Jersey NEWARK AIRPORT, NEW JERSEY: The AAA warned, 'Regardless of the mode of transportation you have chosen, expect crowds during your trip and at your destination' THANKSGIVING MEAL SACRIFICES: INFLATION PUSHES TURKEY OFF THE MENU Sandra White normally has turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.