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Mild regional forecasts from Old Farmer's Almanac mean good news for travelers

The Old Farmer's Almanac is predicting relatively mild weather across most of the U.S. during Thanksgiving week, which should come as relief to the millions planning holiday travel. According to its November forecast, much of the country will experience chilly temperatures, but paired with sunshine or rain. While some parts of the country may see snow flurries, overall the forecast avoids the dramatic winter storms that can derail travel plans.

For travelers, this translates to fewer flight delays, safer road conditions and less stress navigating airports or highways during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Mild weather means you won't need to pack bulky winter coats or worry about ice on the roads as much as in harsher Novembers. The forecast isn't guaranteeing perfect conditions everywhere -- weather is unpredictable, after all -- but the general pattern suggests relatively smooth sailing for most travelers.

In this article: Halfday Double-Decker Weekender Bag 40L, FlyHugz Neck Travel Pillow and FYGRIP 3D Cooling Eye Mask

If you're traveling for Thanksgiving, now's the time to prepare. The right travel gear makes navigating airports or enduring long car rides so much easier. Here are the essentials that'll help you move through Thanksgiving travel with less hassle.

Great weekender bags for short trips

Halfday Double-Decker Weekender Bag 40L

This 40-liter weekender features a zippered bottom compartment that separates shoes or dirty clothes from clean items. Interior mesh pockets organize toiletries, chargers and small essentials, while the trolley sleeve slides over rolling luggage handles to make it easier to carry through the airport.

Samsonite Weekender Duffel

Samsonite's weekender duffel has a spacious main compartment for clothing and weekend essentials and exterior pockets for quick access to boarding passes, phones or snacks. This bag is durable, so it withstands the wear of frequent travel and baggage handling.

Away Everywhere Bag

Away's Everywhere Bag includes a padded laptop sleeve and water-resistant exterior, and it's small enough to fit under an airline seat and qualify as a personal item, not a carry-on. The removable shoulder strap converts it from crossbody to handheld, and multiple interior pockets keep cords, wallets and keys organized and accessible.

Halfday Convertible 2-in-1 Garment Duffel Weekender Bag 40L

This innovative bag converts between a weekender duffel and a hanging garment bag to keep clothes wrinkle-free. A dedicated shoe pocket prevents dirty soles from touching clean clothes, and the 40-liter capacity holds several days' worth of clothing and accessories.

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Must-have accessories for short trips

FlyHugz Neck Travel Pillow

This memory foam pillow molds to your neck contours for personalized support during flights or long car rides. The ergonomic design prevents the head-bobbing that disrupts sleep on planes and the compact size packs smaller than traditional U-shaped travel pillows, saving luggage space.

FYGRIP 3D Cooling Eye Mask

The 3D contoured design of this mask creates space around eyes, eliminating pressure on eyelids and eyelashes while blocking light completely. Its cooling properties help reduce puffiness and provide comfort during travel.

EloBeth Retractable Car Charger Adapter

This four-in-one car charger features retractable cables that prevent tangling and clutter, and the 69-watt output provides fast charging for multiple devices simultaneously during road trips. Compatible with iPhone models from 12 through 17, plus Samsung Galaxy phones.

Samsonite Virtuosa Hardside Train Case

This hardside train case protects cosmetics, toiletries and fragile items in your luggage. The crossbody strap gives you versatile, hands-free carrying options, and it's leak-proof to protect other items.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts travel-friendly Thanksgiving weather