The Huffs will have Disney, not turkey, on their minds this Thanksgiving. Novato resident Mike Huff treated his teenage children Katrina and Liam to a trip to Disney World Resort in Orlando. They took a seat late Friday afternoon at the Marin Airporter hub in Novato for a ride to San Francisco International Airport. “We’re not thinking of turkey, we just want to have fun,” Huff said. “If turkey is a part of it then we’ll do it.” They plan to return Sunday, just in time for classes at Mill Valley Middle School and Archie Williams High School. Huff described his children as the best travelers. “They just get on and mind their business,” Huff said. Also waiting for the airport shuttle bus was Jose Gramajo and his family members, who were bound for Guatemala. “We go every year,” the Vallejo resident said. The Huffs and the Gramajos are among a projected 81. 8 million Americans who will travel more than 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving travel season that lasts from Tuesday to Dec. 1, according to AAA. More than 11 million people are expected to travel in California this year, a 2. 8% increase from last year, AAA spokesperson Doug Johnson said. Of the 11 million, 9. 6 million are expected to be on the road from Tuesday to Sunday. The California Highway Patrol wants drivers to be patient during the Thanksgiving season. “Really, to be safe, what it really comes down to is that you have to give yourself a lot of time to get where you’re going, and you need to be patient,” CHP Sgt. Andrew Barclay said. “You’re not getting anywhere fast.” Johnson said the majority of California travelers will be driving, not flying. The recent federal shutdown, which caused flight delays or cancellations this month, might be a factor behind the choice of travel. “We do think there were probably some people who heard of the government shutdown and safety concerns,” Johnson said. “They probably thought they’ll opt to drive. If they have to drive to San Diego, they probably will.” California’s average price of regular fuel on Monday was $4. 60 per gallon compared to the national average of $3. 06, AAA reported. Regular gas prices in San Rafael averaged $4. 55 on Monday, roughly the same price as a year ago. “Despite the burst of gasoline demand that will occur during Thanksgiving week, overall demand is low this time of year, which helps keep pump prices down,” AAA said. “The national average has seen few fluctuations in 2025 thanks to low crude oil prices and no major storms affecting Gulf Coast refineries.” No rain is expected in Marin County during the holiday week. Rick Canepa, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said Marin will have dry weather through the weekend. Johnson advises drivers to leave on the day of the holiday for the least amount of traffic. In contrast, Sunday is expected to be the worst day for traffic. “Wait until next Monday or go Saturday,” Johnson said. Several people in downtown Novato over the weekend said they plan staycations during Thanksgiving. “I live in a beautiful place in California. I just want to stay home,” Vallejo resident Amy Sandoval said while walking her dog on Grant Avenue. “It’s better than somewhere it snows.” Novato resident J. T. Fenn said he will remain home. “We do it small every year, five or six people,” he said. “Way too much food.” Novato resident Rebecca Dodds plans to travel to Santa Rosa and Hayward for Thanksgiving. “We just got back from Colorado and all that blowup at the airports,” she said of the recent disruption to air travel due to the shutdown. “We’ll just stay home. We have enough family right here.” Bay Area News Group reporter Rick Hurd contributed to this report.
https://www.marinij.com/2025/11/24/travel-or-no-travel-marin-residents-gear-up-for-thanksgiving/
Travel or no travel, Marin residents gear up for Thanksgiving
