PROVIDENCE, R.I., Nov.18, 2024 – AAA projects a record 79.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. For the first time, AAA’s forecast includes the Tuesday before and the Monday after Thanksgiving Day to better capture the flow of holiday travelers.
This year’s projection of nearly 80 million travelers is an increase of 1.7 million people compared to last year and 2 million more than in 2019.
“Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and AAA continues to see demand soar post-pandemic as Americans reconnect with family and friends and seek memorable trips to new destinations,” said Jillian Young, Director of Public Relations, AAA Northeast.
AAA projects a record 71.7 million people will travel by car over Thanksgiving – an additional 1.3 million travelers on the road compared to last year. This year’s number also surpasses pre-pandemic numbers in 2019, when 70.6 million people drove to their Thanksgiving destinations. Drivers are benefiting from lower gas prices this Thanksgiving season: The average national gas price is down 25 cents from this time last year.
Thanksgiving air travel is also expected to set a record. AAA projects 5.84 million people will fly domestically this holiday, an increase of 2% compared to last year and a nearly 11% increase over 2019. Air travelers are paying 3% more for domestic Thanksgiving flights this year, while the number of flight bookings is similar to last year, according to AAA booking data. International flight bookings are up 23% compared to last Thanksgiving, in part because the cost to fly internationally is down 5%.
Nearly 2.3 million people are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, including buses, cruises and trains. This category is seeing an increase of almost 9% compared to last year and an 18% jump over 2019, due in large part due to the popularity of cruising.
This record number of travelers is headed, in large part, to warm weather destinations over the holiday. Four Florida cities are on the list of top domestic destinations because of their beaches, theme parks and cruise ports. Other top destinations include New York, California, Hawaii and Las Vegas. Internationally, Europe and the Caribbean dominate the list thanks to their beach resorts, tourist attractions and river cruises.
Best and Worst Times to Drive
The worst times to travel by car over Thanksgiving are Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, according to INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights. The best time to hit the road pre-Thanksgiving is early morning, and minimal traffic is expected on Thanksgiving Day. Drivers returning home on Sunday should leave early in the morning, and those coming back on Monday should expect a mix of travelers and work commuters on the road.
AAA car rental partner Hertz says the busiest car pickup day is expected to be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and the busiest rental return days will be the Monday and Tuesday after the holiday.
| Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car | ||
| Date | Worst Travel Time | Best Travel Time |
| Monday, Nov. 25 | 1-5 p.m. | Before 11 a.m. |
| Tuesday, Nov. 26 | 1-7 p.m. | Before 10 a.m. |
| Wednesday, Nov. 27 | 1-5 p.m. | Before 10 a.m. |
| Thursday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving Day) | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected | |
| Friday, Nov. 29 | 7-10 a.m. | After 1 p.m. |
| Saturday, Nov. 30 | 4-8 p.m. | Before 1 p.m. |
| Sunday, Dec. 1 | 12-6 p.m. | Before 1 p.m. |
| Monday, Dec. 2 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | Before 8 a.m. / After 7 p.m. |
“With a record number of travelers on the road over Thanksgiving, we urge drivers to plan ahead to make their trips smooth and safe,” said Young. “For many, the night before Thanksgiving kicks off a season of holiday celebrations, and as drivers plan their road trips and outings, a safe and sober ride should be at the top of the list.”
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