U.S. Bureau of Transportation statistics show that Americans take 54 percent more long-distance trips (50 miles or longer) during the Thanksgiving holiday than the rest of the year. Then, we top it off with 23 percent more such trips between Christmas and New Year’s.

The Union of Concerned Scientists offers these tips to help us minimize our personal transportation emissions: travel off peak, a day before and after the rush to avoid traffic holdups; fly coach class, and nonstop, if possible, on a budget airline where every seat is coach; go by train if traveling solo; drive by car or rented hybrid for a family; or simply get on a bus, the best eco-choice for everyone (especially true for journeys of under 500 miles).

Source: ucsusa.org