The day before Thanksgiving is notoriously known as one of, if not the, busiest travel day of the year. Wednesday is the kick-off to the holiday weekend for thousands in Michiana.

Travelers at the South Bend Regional Airport had no trouble checking in and heading to their gates in the very early morning hours on Wednesday.

Lane Steiner is a Michiana business traveler who told us, “I fly in and out of here quite a bit and it's super easy. It's always quick and you get here an hour ahead of time and you're always safe.”

Notre Dame student Mary Cummins supprts Steiner's statement. "“The South Bend Airport is rarely super busy so I wasn't concerned about that. I thought it wasn't very busy to get through the check-in lines and whatnot.”

This season, lower hotel prices will bump up the number of travelers but gas prices are about 50 cents higher than last year. Michiana’s current average price for regular unleaded gasoline is just under $2.61.

Cheyenne, Wyoming, has the lowest gas price at $2.38 while San Francisco, CA has the highest at $2.97.

Nearly 38.5 million people will travel over the next few days, more by car but fewer by air.

AAA says even though more people will hit the road the number of people flying will drop by about 7-percent because planes are just too crowded and the prices keep going up.

Overall last year, the number of people traveling for their turkey fell more than 25% from the 2007.

Many waking up Wednesday morning will have a long day ahead of them as packing gets underway and people head out the door. To make it a safe year, travel experts have some tips drivers are sure to be thankful for:

• Check your engine. Regular tune-ups can save a lot of hassle and money, especially if they are done at least once a year and right before you leave.
• Check the tire pressure. If the pressure is too low, your car has to work harder which is not good for it or your gas mileage.
• Drive at night if you can. Driving during non-peak hours can save you half the energy, and all that unnecessary braking wastes gas.

For more tips from the South Bend Regional Airport on air or train travel on the South Shore, click on the Big Red Bar.

Meantime, extra patrols will be on the road to focus on seatbelt use, DUI awareness, and safe travel this holiday season. The national "Operation Pullover" campaign started November 13 and lasts through the end of the month, including here in Michiana.

Officers hope families will have a safer Thanksgiving with their increased enforcement on the roads.