Maine Tops the Thanksgiving ‘Most Stressful State’ List, Here’s Why…

It seems like trying to get to Maine in winter is almost impossible.

At the holidays, I don't envy anyone trying to get in or out of Maine. I suppose driving up this way during the holiday season could be worse. It's not like summer tourist traffic. However, flights in and out are cumbersome, considering our airports, while not tiny, can only handle so much traffic. Never mind weather complications.

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But there's so much more to be stressed out during this time of year, than just travel. Inevitably, there will be all manner of family chats. Politics, of course, always being an enjoyable topic. There's the stress of meal planning... It never ends. But apparently, we Mainers have it worst of all.

Apparently coming to Maine for Turkey Day is the absolute worst.

I'm not kidding. Like, literally the worst. A recent survey concluded that in almost all available categories/criteria, Maine is the worst state to visit for Thanksgiving. How was this conclusion reached? The basic list revolved around things like politics, cost of travel, flight delays, and cost of the actual meal.

If you add up or scores across the board, Maine is the worst place to travel to. Granted, it's much more expensive to travel to Alaska or Hawaii, but the meal is most expensive here. As is the delay time on flights. So in other words, it's actually easier to get in and out of Alaska or Hawaii, than it is Maine.

Is the rest of New England as bad as us?

New Hampshire and Rhode Island are in the Top 20, but pretty far down. Which also apparently means the rest of New England is a gem to visit compared to here. I mean, I get it. Just the politics part alone is so complicated, based on Maine's voting history. We certainly have a foot planted firmly on both sides of the fence.

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But as I'm about to celebrate my 51st Thanksgiving here in Maine, I would like to submit that there's no better place to be for Thanksgiving. Why? Because it's home. As good old Colonel Potter once said on MASH, if you ain't home... you're nowhere. Meaning, wherever you are is home. So make the best of it. Even here in Maine.