VIDEO: First drop in Thanksgiving travel in 5 years

For the first time in more than five years, there will be a drop in Thanksgiving travelers this year.

But if you haven’t hit the road yet, you may still some delays.

Experts say it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to notice the drop in travelers.

41 million Americans will still be traveling more than 50 miles from home this year.

Even in tough economic times it seems many Americans just can’t quit their holiday travel cold turkey.

“Its nice to spend the holidays back home,“ said Kate Bailey of Washington, DC.

So by the millions, they are hitting the road, trains, or tarmacs

“On Sunday airlines have told us that almost every seat is full,“ said Mindy Hamlin of the Raleigh Durham International Airport.

With a drop in travelers expected, airlines cut the number of flights this year to fill up planes.

There were still long lines at LAX.

But, at many airports, like Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson, fliers found crowds lighter than they had feared.

“I don’t know where everybody is. It’s crazy,“ said one traveler.

While passengers at Dallas Fort Worth found some traditional Thanksgiving characters to help point the way.

And new security lanes dedicated to families a big help to travelers like the Raes.

“We feel like we hold everybody else up - 4 pairs of shoes and all,” said mom Sandee Rae of Dallas, Texas.

Meantime, for the half million taking a train, Amtrak announced it was beefing up security to address an FBI security bulletin about the potential for a terror attack.

While on the roadway, 33 million Americans were expected behind the wheel this holiday.

That’s down slightly for the first time since 2002 but still enough to cause congestion on some highways.

Perhaps the biggest change this year could be at the gas pumps.

The national average for gas $1.87 compared to last years $3.09.

So there is that to be thankful for but the Thanksgiving rush of course not over yet.

Sunday is actually the busiest travel day of the year.