WASHINGTON -- With Thanksgiving just days away, millions of Americans are heading to the airport or hitting the roads to travel for the holidays. And just like every year, this rush of people is leading to some holiday headaches.

One of the biggest sticking points is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the largest airline hubs in the country.

Delays began piling up at the airport Tuesday after severe storms passed through metro Atlanta, throwing a major wrench into Thanksgiving holiday travel into and out of the region.

Several severe thunderstorm warnings were issued across the metro area between about 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., prompting a full ground stop for some time at the airport.

That has since been lifted, but according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.com, more than 500 flights into or out of Atlanta were delayed or canceled Tuesday.

But Atlanta isn't the only place dealing with poor weather conditions rolling in for Thanksgiving.

A winter storm passing along the northern United States is expected to dump snow across the Midwest and Northeast through the rest of the week and into the weekend, according to Accuweather.

That early winter chill is forecasted to stretch across the Great Plains and upper Midwest, and could cause delays or cancellations on Friday or Saturday for airports in the center of the country.

Traffic on highways across the country is expected to pick up in the next 24 hours, leading to long delays. The worst spots for gridlock are likely to be interstates through major cities, so travelers are advised to take back roads when possible to bypass some of the traffic.

AAA is projecting around 79.9 million travelers who venture out at least 50 miles from home over the week of Thanksgiving.

It's a jump of around 1.7 million people from last year.

"Thanksgiving travel numbers are always impressive because this holiday has become synonymous with heading out of town to spend time with loved ones," Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel, said. "People are willing to brave the crowds and make last-minute adjustments to their plans to make lifelong memories, whether it's visiting extended family or meeting up with friends."

According to AAA, the majority of travelers are doing so by car. About 90% of travelers, or 73 million people, are expected to drive to their Thanksgiving destination. It's about 1.3 million more people than last year, and the number could rise as some travelers with canceled flights choose to drive instead.

As for air travel, AAA expects 6 million people to fly domestically, a 2% increase from 2024. That number could dip if travelers change plans following recent cancellations.

Travel by trains, buses and cruises is also on the rise, as nearly 2.5 million people are expected to travel via these methods, an 8.5% increase from last year.

Overall, travel costs are around or below average. If you're looking to rent a car, Hertz predicts the Wednesday before Thanksgiving will be the busiest car rental day, with Orlando, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Newark seeing the highest demand. But AAA's booking data shows domestic rentals are 15% cheaper than last year.

A round-trip domestic flight averages about $700, similar to last year. Flying on Thanksgiving Day is usually cheaper, but returning on Sunday or Monday drives up prices. Gas prices are also averaging about the same, compared to last year's national average for a gallon of regular gasoline, which was $3.06 on Thanksgiving Day.

With the number of travelers for Thanksgiving, there are sure to be some problems. But it's possible to smooth out your journey by following a few simple steps.

Make a list and check things off

A week before you leave, write down things you need to bring and tasks you need to do before the trip.

"This can include essential packing items, as well as simple tasks like cleaning out old food from the fridge or watering the plants," says Jess Feldman, special projects editor at Travel and Leisure magazine. "The key is to leave the list out for the entire week before you go. I cross the to-dos off throughout the week, and it helps me feel extremely prepared, lessening the stress every time."

Carry your comfort zone with you

Noise-canceling headphones can go a long way toward blocking out annoyances during travel, although if you use them, you should keep an eye on display boards or your phone for any flight or gate changes.

Spotify, YouTube and other sites offer music playlists with names like "Relaxing Chill Out Calming Music for Airports" and "Perfect -- Music Travel Relax." Or try "Music for Airports," a groundbreaking album that launched the ambient music genre in 1978.

It's also good to carry extra medications, a change of clothes, a toothbrush and a phone-charging cable, just in case.

Stay hydrated

To counter the dry air on flights, bring along an empty water bottle (fill it after you go through security ) and a small pouch with lip balm and travel-size moisturizers.

Hallie Gould, editor in chief of Byrdie, a digital site for beauty care, recommends "loading up on skin hydration before your flight. That means drinking extra fluids and applying moisturizing skin products to boost hydration, so you're covering your bases inside and out."

And don't forget your hair.

"Just as the low humidity on the airplane is dehydrating for your skin, it can also dry out your hair. If possible, use a deep conditioner before your trip," Gould says.

Give yourself the gift of extra time

Security lines can be much longer -- and slower -- than expected, and so can the walk through a large airport. So giving yourself plenty of extra time can reduce stress. The general rule of thumb is to arrive at the airport two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours before international flights.

If you're too early, you can always explore the airport shops and lounges or settle in with a good book somewhere.

"I always confirm whether or not there is a lounge I have access to in my departing gate ahead of time," Feldman says. But even without lounge access, she says, "I like to know what the restaurants and waiting areas (near) the gate are like."