More Americans are expected to hit the road this Thanksgiving compared to last year, according to AAA’s holiday travel report. Even though more travelers are opting to drive this year instead of fly, that doesn’t mean your flight won’t be any less crowded. Keep reading to find out what to expect from your Thanksgiving journey.

Last year, Thanksgiving travel took a nosedive and plunged 25.2 percent in the midst of financial uncertainty. In 2009, AAA projects an overall 1.4 percent increase in the number of travelers, which many believe is a sign of growing consumer confidence.

Of the 38.4 million Americans expected to venture away from home this Thanksgiving, 33.2 million are projected to travel by car—up from 32.5 million last year. Experts say lower gasoline prices could be behind that increase, with average gas prices roughly 54 cents cheaper this year compared to October 2008.

Meanwhile, the report predicts that only 2.3 million people will fly this year, compared to 2.5 million in 2008. This continues a decade-long trend of decreasing air travel

Since 2000, the number of people flying over the Thanksgiving holiday has dropped a whopping 62 percent. During that time, airlines have struggled financially and responded by tacking on more fees and reducing the number of flights. Meanwhile, passengers typically have to wait longer in security lines and encounter more delayed flights.

This year, many airlines have made the switch to smaller planes and reduced the number of flights to cut down on empty seats. With fewer flights going out, expect yours to be packed—and pray you don’t miss your connection, because it may be a while before you can get onto another one.

If you are flying this week, there are some steps you can take to make your airport experience less manic. If possible, travel light so you won’t have to wait in long lines to check bags. If you have to pack a big suitcase, try shipping it in advance—it could end up being cheaper and you won’t have to worry about wasting time at the airport.

You can save some time by checking in online before you get to the airport. No matter what, give yourself a little more time than you usually would to get through security.

Related links on PeterGreenberg.com:

• Travel Cheap with Dead Week Deals
• The Best Day of the Week to Buy Cheap Tickets
• How to Avoid Airline Fees

By Dan Bence for PeterGreenberg.com