HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – AAA projects 48.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving, which is one million more than last year and the most travelers since 2007.

“Everybody wants to be with family this time of year and we’re no different, so we’re dying to be with family, and eat, and cook,” Ghana Rowell, who is traveling this Thanksgiving, said.

“Be patient. You know everybody’s going to visit family. This is not the time be impatient, it’s not the time to speed or to tailgate, definitely not the time to drive impaired,” PennDOT spokeswoman Fritzi Shreffler said.

PennDOT is trying to alleviate some of the traffic.

“On Sunday afternoon, we’re going to be encouraging people who are coming southbound on 81 to actually get off on 22 in Lebanon County and take 22 down to avoid the area between the 78 split and the 83 split,” Shreffler said.

They said the worst time to travel will be the Sunday after Thanksgiving, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

“Definitely allow some extra time for your travel. If it’s normally a two-hour trip, you might want to consider leaving three hours early just in case. If there is an incident, if there is extra traffic, then you can make a change in your route,” Shreffler said.

“I am more patient. I can get a little aggravated, but I remember the goal is to get there safe, and that’s what I think everybody should try to remember,” Rowell said.