The 2025 Thanksgiving holiday travel period is set to shatter records, according to the latest forecast from AAA. A staggering 81.8 million people are projected to journey at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday, November 25, and Monday, December 1. This figure represents an increase of 1.6 million travelers compared to the previous year, solidifying Thanksgiving’s status as the single busiest holiday for U.S. travel.
By the Numbers: Modes of Transportation
1. The Road Rules: Driving Dominates
The vast majority of holiday travelers will be taking to the highways, with AAA projecting at least 73 million people traveling by car—nearly 90% of all travelers. This marks a 1.3 million increase in road travelers from last Thanksgiving, a number that could rise further if air travelers switch to driving due to concerns over recent flight cancellations.
- Gas Prices: Drivers are paying approximately the same at the pump as they did last year (when the national average for regular gasoline was $3.06 on Thanksgiving Day).
- Car Rentals: Wednesday, November 26, is expected to be the busiest pick-up day for rental cars. Demand is highest in markets like Orlando, Atlanta, and Las Vegas. Encouragingly, domestic car rental prices are reported to be 15% cheaper this year.
- Roadside Advice: AAA reminds drivers to check their battery and tire pressure, noting they responded to nearly 600,000 emergency calls last Thanksgiving due to issues like dead batteries and flat tires.
2. Taking to the Skies: Air Travel on the Rise
An estimated 6 million U.S. travelers are expected to fly domestically, a 2% increase over 2024.
- Cost: The average roundtrip domestic flight is averaging $700, similar to last year. Travelers can find cheaper fares by flying on Thanksgiving Day itself, but the busiest (and often most expensive) return days remain Sunday and Monday.
- Contingency: This figure could be slightly lower if some travelers ultimately choose to drive instead of fly following recent cancellation issues.
3. Other Modes: Trains, Buses, and Cruises
Travel by other modes, including buses, trains, and cruises, is expected to see the largest percentage increase, growing by 8.5% to nearly 2.5 million people. Cruise vacations, particularly to the Caribbean, remain appealing for families seeking mild weather and all-inclusive travel planning.
The Road Ahead: Best & Worst Times to Drive
Drivers should brace for heavy congestion, especially in the afternoons leading up to the holiday. INRIX, a provider of transportation data, expects Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons to be the absolute worst times to travel.
| Date | Worst Travel Time | Best Travel Time |
| Tuesday, Nov 25 | 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Before 12:00 PM |
| Wednesday, Nov 26 | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Before 11:00 AM |
| Thursday, Nov 27 | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected | |
| Sunday, Nov 30 | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Before 11:00 AM |
Peak Congestion Hotspots:
The most severe delays are anticipated in major metro areas:
- New York: New York to the Hamptons via Long Island Expressway Eastbound is expected to see a travel time increase of 163% on Tuesday at 4:30 PM.
- Washington, D.C.: Travel to Baltimore via Balt/Wash Pkwy Northbound could be 166% longer on Tuesday at 4:30 PM.
- Los Angeles: The drive from LA to Bakersfield via I-5 Northbound is forecast to be 147% longer on Wednesday at 7:45 PM.
Top Destinations
Florida dominates the domestic list, driven by theme parks and cruise ports, while international travelers are favoring European cities, the Caribbean, and Australia.
| Domestic Destinations | International Destinations |
| Orlando, FL | Paris, France |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Miami, FL | Vienna, Austria |
| Anaheim/Los Angeles, CA | Cancun, Mexico |
| Tampa, FL | Sydney, Australia |
Safety Reminder
AAA and MADD strongly remind travelers of the dangers of impaired driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk-driving crashes accounted for more than one-third (35%) of all traffic fatalities during the Thanksgiving period between 2019 and 2023. Travelers are urged to plan ahead and designate a sober driver.