Nearly 82 million Americans are projected to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday period this year, setting a new record for the nation’s busiest travel holiday, according to AAA’s latest forecast.
The seven-day travel period from Tuesday, November 25 through Monday, December 1 will see 81.8 million people journey at least 50 miles from home, an increase of 1.6 million travelers compared to last Thanksgiving. This makes Thanksgiving the single busiest holiday for travel, surpassing Memorial Day and Independence Day.
Nearly 90 percent of Thanksgiving travelers—approximately 73 million people—will hit the road this year, an additional 1.3 million drivers compared to 2024. Six million U.S. travelers are expected to fly domestically during the holiday period, marking a 2 percent increase from 2024.
According to INRIX traffic data, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons will be the most congested periods before Thanksgiving, with travelers returning home on Sunday facing heavy traffic most of the day. Drivers should hit the road in the morning to avoid the worst backups.
Best and Worst Driving Times:
- Tuesday, November 25: Worst 12:00-9:00 PM; Best before 12:00 PM
- Wednesday, November 26: Worst 11:00 AM-8:00 PM; Best before 11:00 AM
- Thursday, November 27: Minimal traffic impact expected
- Sunday, November 30: Worst 11:00 AM-8:00 PM; Best before 11:00 AM
Earlier concerns about flight disruptions from a government shutdown that ended November 12 appear to have eased. The FAA lifted all restrictions on commercial flights on November 21, allowing airlines to resume regular schedules. However, AAA notes some travelers may still opt to drive rather than fly due to recent flight disruptions caused by the shutdown.
