Turkey day means a high turnout of travelers

While many plan vacations to warmer climates during the winter or summer getaways, this weekend is actually one of the busiest weekends to travel.

Not coincidentally, it is Thanksgiving weekend.

AAA reports that more than 36 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles from home for the holiday weekend, up 2.4 percent from the 35.2 million who traveled during the Thanksgiving weekend last year.

In Alaska, a majority of Thanksgiving travelers hit the highway to visit relatives or friends, and that trend is a national one as well.

Eighty-six percent of all travelers go by vehicle during Thanksgiving. Air travel, however, is also expected to rise, according to AAA.

While the Thanksgiving weekend is a boon to travel-related businesses, hotels don't necessarily benefit as much as other business. AAA estimates that more than 55 percent of all Thanksgiving weekend travelers stay with family and friends, rather than the Hilton down the road.

If you have to head out on the highways or take to the air during the holidays, there are ways to avoid the rush.

The best idea, according to independenttraveler.com, is to go early and stay late. The best days to travel are yesterday and today. The worst day to head out on the road is tomorrow, Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving.

When returning home, either cut short the visit to Saturday, Nov. 29 or take a day off on Dec. 2 to come home -- Sunday night, Nov. 30, is one of the worst travel days of the year.

The busiest time of the year for air travel is Dec. 18 to Jan. 5, but there are "dead days" in that time. According to Orbitz, an online travel agency, the most popular day for Christmas travel this year is Dec. 23, while the slowest day is Dec. 22.

Here are some holiday travel tips from the Transportation Security Administration:

Check pockets and bags, particularly carryon luggage, to ensure no prohibited items were packed inadvertently.

Think about what you are wearing before going to the airport. Metal clothing or metal jewelry are likely to require additional screening.

Pack undeveloped film in carryon bags. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film.

Wrap gifts upon arrival. If gifts require additional screening, screeners may have to unwrap them.

Do not overpack bags. If screeners have to open them, closing overstuffed bags can be difficult and result in delays for checked baggage.

If screeners need to open a locked bag for inspection they may have to break the lock.

You can't get to the airport too early -- give yourself lots of time.