Thanksgiving travel creates heavy congestion on Middle Georgia interstates

Bibb County deputies say the busiest days will be Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Thanksgiving week travel is already crowding highways, and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office says drivers should expect heavy traffic through the holiday.

Capt. Scott Davis with the sheriff’s office traffic division says their busiest areas are typically Interstate 75 and Interstate 475. He adds that ongoing construction on I-16 is also causing concern for drivers coming from or heading toward the Savannah area.

“Our heaviest traffic volume is typically on the 75, 475 interstate systems,” Davis said. “Obviously, the construction on 16 is a concern with them coming either from the coast Savannah area or going to.”

Davis says Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday are historically the busiest travel days. He says every unit will be working throughout the holiday to keep drivers safe, but the most important safety step begins before leaving home.

“Don’t plan while you’re traveling,” he said. “Plan before. It’s a simple task. We are a very mobile society and we want everybody to be safe and have a good Thanksgiving.”

Travelers stopping in Macon say they are already feeling the impact. Tom Wirks, who is driving from Florida, says Interstate 75 has seen major delays.

“There’s a lot of traffic on 75,” he said. “Three lanes are bumper-to-bumper in a lot of places.”

Another traveler, Teresa Deal, left home before sunrise to beat the crowds on her way to Atlanta.

“We heard that it was gonna be really crowded and busy, so we headed out at 4:30 a.m. this morning,” she said. “And it has been pretty crowded.”

Deal offered simple advice for families hitting the road.

“Take your time, take frequent stops, relax, because you’ll get there eventually,” she said.

Capt. Davis says their goal is for everyone to arrive safely and enjoy the holiday.