More than 55 million travelers are making plans to kick off the holiday season with a trip of 50 miles or more away from home this Thanksgiving. This will be the second-highest Thanksgiving travel volume since AAA began tracking in 2000, trailing only the record set in 2005.

Overall, an additional 1.6 million more people will travel compared with last year, a 2.9% increase. The vast majority of holiday travelers will drive to their destinations and, INRIX, a global transportation analytics company, expects Wednesday afternoon to be the worst travel period nationally, with trips taking as much at four times longer than normal in major metros.

“The strong economy is giving many Americans the confidence to head out and visit their families and friends this Thanksgiving,” says Sally McCorrison, director of travel services, AAA East Central. “Millions in our region will be hitting the roads and skies to create long lasting memories.”

The Thanksgiving holiday period is defined as Wednesday through Sunday.

For the 49.3 million Americans traveling by automobile, AAA predicts major delays throughout the week, peaking Wednesday with trips taking as much as four times longer as commuters mix with travelers.

Gas prices have been fluctuating recently but are currently trending a dime cheaper than the national average at this time last year. This is giving Americans a little extra money to spend on travel and motivating millions to take road trips. For the majority of Americans, AAA expects gas prices to be fairly similar to last year’s Thanksgiving holiday, which averaged $2.57.

More than 368,000 motorists will call AAA nationwide for assistance at the roadside this Thanksgiving holiday, with dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts as the leading calls. AAA recommends motorists take their vehicles to a trusted repair facility to perform any needed maintenance before heading out on a road trip. And remember to slow down and move over for stopped emergency vehicles at the roadside.