AAA Forecasts a Record-Breaking Thanksgiving Travel Season

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You may want to pack some extra patience if you plan to travel for Thanksgiving this year, with the AAA forecasting one of the busiest Thanksgiving travel seasons on record.
AAA predicts this Thanksgiving will be the third-busiest on record for travelers. AAA estimates over 55 million people will venture 50 or more miles from home.
“For many Americans, Thanksgiving and travel go hand in hand, and this holiday, we expect more people on the roads, skies, and seas compared to 2022,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “”ravel demand has been strong all year, and AAA’s Thanksgiving forecast reflects that continued desire to get away and spend time with loved ones.”
According to the AAA, most Americans plan to drive to their Thanksgiving destinations, with an anticipated 49.1 million hitting the roads. AAA expects 4.7 million people to fly over the Thanksgiving holiday – a 6.6 percent increase over 2022 and the highest number of air travelers since 2005.
Over Thanksgiving, the number of people traveling by cruise, bus, and train is up nearly 11% over last year. AAA expects 1.55 million travelers will head out of town using these other modes of transportation, which took a massive hit during the pandemic but have rebounded nicely. “The cruise industry, in particular, has made a remarkable comeback,” Twidale added. “Thanksgiving cruises are mostly sold out, with many travelers looking to spend the holiday at sea.”
INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects Wednesday, November 22, to be the busiest day on the roads during the Thanksgiving holiday, with average travel times as high as 80% over normal in some metro areas. INRIX recommends leaving in the morning or after 6 p.m. to avoid the heaviest holiday congestion.
“The day before Thanksgiving is notoriously one of the most congested days on our roadways. Travelers should be prepared for long delays, especially in and around major metros,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Knowing when and where congestion will build can help minimize holiday traffic frustrations. We advise drivers to use traffic apps, local DOT notifications, and 511 services for real-time updates.”