Millions hit the road for holiday

One of the busiest travel days of the year is finally here, and by Thanksgiving Day, you’ll probably be thankful it’s over.

But Bill Houston of Fairport says this time around nothing compared with years past. For the last 20 years, he’s been driving to Long Island with his family for Thanksgiving celebrations.

“We had a horrible time coming up through Albany a few years ago where the weather was very bad,” he said. “We came up on a Sunday. We should have just stayed an extra day.”

Houston is among millions expected to take on the New York State Thruway over the next few days, and he’s one of many drivers who says Wednesday has not been that bad, except for the weather.

“It’s getting a little wet out here,” he said at a thruway stop in Clifton Springs. “We're hoping it gets cleared up as we get going a little further on.”

“It’s been pretty good except for the rain and cold,” said Bernetta Odom who was on her way back to Brooklyn, NY.

As for the rising gas prices - they do not seem to be stopping families from hitting the road. Drivers I talked to say if they want to fuel up on turkey, they'll have to fuel up on gas first.

Odom says that won’t stop anyone. She says they have to drive in order to get to their families, and Katrina Schmitt agrees.

“(Gas) is a bit more expensive here than it was in Buffalo, but it's not enough to keep me from traveling at this point.”

And it is not enough to keep Houston and his family from enjoying a long-time tradition.

“Hopefully it stays pretty good,” he said, “so we can get down there in time.”