If you’re travelling south of the border this week, be prepared for congested highways and jammed airports over the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Tomorrow is American Thanksgiving, followed by the Black Friday holiday, when Americans traditionally shop for bargains.

An estimated 47-million Americans are expected to take a car, plane, bus or train at least 80 kilometres from home over the long holiday weekend, according to the motoring organization AAA.

That would be an increase of more than 300,000 people over last year, and the most travellers since 2007.

Among the reasons given for the increase — an improving American economy and the cheapest gasoline for this time of year since 2008.