AAA projects 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday period from Tuesday, November 25 to Monday, December 1. This year’s domestic travel forecast includes an additional 1.6 million travelers compared to last Thanksgiving, setting a new overall record. Thanksgiving is the single busiest holiday for travel compared to others like Memorial Day and July 4.

“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.”

Transportation data and insights, expects Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon to be the most congested periods before Thanksgiving Day. Travelers returning home on Sunday should expect heavy traffic most of the day. Drivers should hit the road in the morning to avoid the worst backups, but keep in mind construction, crashes, or severe weather could impact travel times. Slow Down, Move Over for emergency responders and other stopped vehicles on the side of the road to ensure everyone’s safety. 

Stay Safe

A-Jay

We are staying home this year, no traveling

Supermarket parking lots are dangerous too.

I will be one of the 81.8 million. We typically travel for the larger holidays (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas) due to our family's locations. We have learned that traveling at night is usually better and we take an extra day off work if needed to travel during a week day rather than a weekend, or leave a day earlier like Saturday. It helps but people are crazy and you have to know everything will take longer.

I'm traveling 5.1 miles and my biggest concern is deer. I only travel over 50 miles from home for fishing and never on a holiday.