Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week?! I can’t and AAA is projecting a record-breaking travel period. Nearly 81.8 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the holiday period from Tuesday, November 25 through Monday, December 1. That’s an increase of 1.6 million travelers compared to last year, setting a new benchmark for the busiest domestic holiday travel period.
“Thanksgiving travel numbers are always impressive because this holiday has become synonymous with heading out of town to spend time with loved ones,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “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.”
Road Trips Dominate Travel Plans
Cars remain the dominant mode of transportation with AAA estimating that at least 73 million travelers or nearly 90% of the total will hit the road this year. That’s 1.3 million more than last Thanksgiving. Some travelers who initially planned to fly may opt to drive instead following recent flight cancellations due to the government shutdown.
For those renting vehicles, Wednesday, November 26 is expected to be the busiest pick-up day. Top rental markets include Orlando, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Newark. Domestic car rentals are roughly 15% cheaper than last year while gas prices remain close to last Thanksgiving’s average of $3.06 per gallon. AAA recommends filling up the night before, checking tire pressure and battery health and keeping emergency roadside numbers handy. Last year the association assisted nearly 600,000 drivers.
AAA and MADD also emphasize safe driving, particularly regarding impaired driving. Between 2019 and 2023, drunk-driving crashes during Thanksgiving accounted for 868 deaths or more than one-third of traffic fatalities over the holiday period. Travelers are encouraged to plan ahead, designate a sober driver or use rideshare services.
Flying, Buses, Trains and Cruises
Air travel is expected to see 6 million domestic passengers, a 2% increase over last year with average roundtrip fares around $700. Traveling on Thanksgiving Day itself is cheaper but return flights on Sunday and Monday tend to be the priciest, prompting some travelers to adjust their itineraries.
Other modes of travel including buses, trains and cruises are projected to increase by 8.5% to nearly 2.5 million travelers. Cruise vacations, particularly to the Caribbean, remain popular thanks to mild weather and the ability to accommodate multiple generations. AAA forecasts 20.7 million Americans will take cruises this year with 2026 expected to see even higher numbers.
Top Destinations and Traffic Tips
Domestically, Florida leads in popularity with Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Tampa topping the list while international travelers are eyeing Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, Cancun and Sydney.
For those on the road, INRIX data highlights Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons as the most congested times with Sunday seeing the heaviest return traffic. AAA recommends traveling early in the morning to avoid peak congestion and always adhering to safety rules such as the “Slow Down, Move Over” law for emergency vehicles.
