AAA expects 81.8 million Americans to travel at least 50 miles from home between November 25 and December 1, setting a new Thanksgiving record. That’s 1.6 million more travelers than last year.
“Thanksgiving has become synonymous with heading out of town to spend time with loved ones,” said Stacey Barber, AAA’s Vice President of Travel. “People are willing to brave the crowds to make lifelong memories.”
Road travel dominates
AAA projects 73 million people will travel by car—nearly 90% of all travelers. Gas prices are similar to last year, and AAA warns that Thanksgiving remains one of the most dangerous times on U.S. roads. From 2019 to 2023, 868 people died in drunk-driving crashes during the holiday period.
Air travel and other modes rise
About 6 million people are expected to fly, a 2% increase from 2024. Nearly 2.5 million will travel by bus, train, or cruise as demand for cruises continues to grow.
Best travel times
INRIX expects the heaviest traffic Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Sunday return travel will also be slow most of the day. Drivers are encouraged to leave before 11 a.m. to avoid the worst congestion.
Georgia increases Thanksgiving enforcement
The Georgia State Patrol will increase patrols from Wednesday evening through Sunday night.
“Seatbelts save lives. Take a moment to make sure everyone is properly restrained,” said Georgia Department of Public Safety Commissioner Colonel William W. Hitchens III.
Last Thanksgiving, GSP investigated 684 crashes, 349 injuries, and 17 deaths.
