CONCORD, N.H. — Getting a big holiday meal on the table can be stressful for the cook. But for guests, just getting to the table also can be difficult, and there’s no Butterball hotline for harried travelers.

The number of people traveling 50 miles or more from home for Thanksgiving is expected to reach 55.4 million this week, a slight increase over last year, according to AAA projections.

And while misery loves company, there are some steps travelers can take to improve the experience.

For those traveling by car, getting an early start is recommended.

Most travelers — more than 49 million — are expected to drive to their Thanksgiving destinations.

Traffic is anticipated to peak on Wednesday, the day before the holiday.

The worst time to be on the road will be between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. that day, according to INRIX, a transportation data and insights provider.

Not only will traffic jams slow you down, they can result in crashes caused by distracted drivers, said Megan Jones, senior actuary at Arity, another company that analyzes mobility data.

“When traffic is moving at a more steady pace and you don’t have as much of that stop and go, folks are less inclined to pick up their phones,” she said.

Road trips with children pose additional challenges, including breaking up backseat fights and keeping carsickness at bay.

While those traveling on Thanksgiving might be tempted to hold off on meals or snacks given they are headed to a feast, that could be a bad move, said Dr. Mona Amin, a pediatrician and parenting coach.

“An empty stomach can make symptoms of nausea worse, so make sure anybody prone to carsickness has a satiated belly and is hydrated,” she said.

Those traveling by air should aim to pack a good attitude before reaching altitude.

About 4.7 million people are expected to fly during the Thanksgiving travel period, according to AAA. That’s an increase of 6.6% compared to 2022 and the highest number since 2005. When it comes to air travel, Sheryl Skaggs, a sociology professor at the University of Texas at Dallas, said a little empathy goes a long way.

“Go in with the mindset that the planes are likely to be incredibly crowded,” she said, urging travelers to be tolerant and understanding, rather than taking issue with crying babies or picking a fight over reclining seats.

Skaggs co-authored a study published this year exploring nearly 1,000 incidents of passenger misconduct on airplanes over a 20-year period. Consumption of alcohol was a significant contributor to misconduct.

Oftentimes, the drinking starts well before passengers board the plane, Skaggs said.

“Don’t be afraid to say something to flight attendants if you think that something’s not right or that you see something potentially escalating,” she said.