By Rebecca Billman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Benecchi triplets - Tori, left, with her dog Millie, Ellie with her dog Ginger and Liesl with her dog Penny - wait at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport for a flight to Florida. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

Despite cold and snowy weather, today is expected to be the biggest travel day of the year. The promise of roast turkey, pumpkin pie, parades and football shared with loved ones is more than likely to lure people from their homes.

Some 36 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles from home this Thanksgiving - more than 30 million by car, and 6 million by plane.

In Greater Cincinnati, it will be cold and cloudy today with highs in the low 30s and northwest winds at 5-15 mph. Tonight, temperatures will fall to the upper-teens - so bundle up as you head to grandmother's house.

Expect more cold and clouds Thanksgiving Day, with a chance of snow and rain Friday through Sunday.

Here are some last-minute travel tips to help make the holiday weekend safe and enjoyable.

By car

Give your itinerary and estimated arrival time to a friend or family member so someone knows where you might be in case of an emergency.

Pack blankets, flares, a flashlight, candles, food and water in case of an emergency.

Take along a cell phone and relevant telephone numbers.

Don't exceed the speed limit, and use seatbelts - for safety's sake and because state troopers will be cracking down.

Be aware that you could encounter slick spots from last night's snow and freezing temperatures.

Dale Hrachovina (left) and Ben Littleton of John B. Conomos Inc. Painting remove a cable used to hang a drape around the L&N Bridge. The bridge was being painted Tuesday. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

Check the Internet for highway conditions before departure: www.cincinnati.com or www.artimis.org.

Tune in to Highway Advisory Radio (AM 530) or dial 211 for regional weather and traffic information.

Other contacts: Ohio State Highway Patrol (for emergencies), (877) 647-2876; Ohio road conditions, (888) 264-7623; Kentucky State Police, (800) 222-5555; Kentucky road conditions, (800) 459-7623; Indiana State Police, 911; Indiana road conditions, (800) 261-7623.

Interstate lane closures

There could be delays and speed reductions in these areas because of lane closures in construction zones:

Interstate 75

Northbound and southbound lane closures in Boone, Madison and Grant counties in Kentucky.

Northbound and southbound lane closures and reduced speed limit in Miami County, Ohio.

Interstate 71

Northbound and southbound lane closures in Carroll County, Ky.

Northbound and southbound lane closures on I-71 in Medina, Richland and Wayne counties in Ohio.

Interstate 64

Westbound lane closures in Jefferson County, Ky.

By plane

Arrive at the terminal at least one hour before a domestic flight is scheduled to leave, two hours before international flights.

Don't carry on or pack hazardous materials - including matches, lighters, flammable liquids, oil-based paints or batteries.

Don't carry on or pack items that could be used as weapons - including replica or toy weapons, knives, bats or martial arts devices.

Keep your ticket and photo ID with you at all times.

Tag luggage inside and out.

Don't lock your luggage because airline inspectors may cut the locks or zippers off to inspect bags. Carry on cash and valuables.

E-mail rbillman@enquirer.com