When it comes to Thanksgiving travel, the best time to hit the road may not be when you think. According to a recent AAA report, this year is set to be the busiest Thanksgiving holiday season on record, with a staggering 81.8 million Americans expected to travel 50 miles or more between November 25 and December 1. The majority of these travellers, about 73 million, will be taking to the roads, leading to heavy traffic on highways and interstates across the country.
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AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz highlighted that Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel due to people gathering with family and friends, braving airport crowds and enduring traffic jams to be together for the festive occasion. To help travellers navigate through the anticipated congestion, AAA has pinpointed the best and worst times to hit the road.
Traffic is expected to peak on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving between noon and 9 p.m., with Wednesday also being a hectic travel day, most congested from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. To avoid the worst of the backups, leaving earlier in the day on either of these dates, before 12 p.m. on Tuesday or 11 a.m. on Wednesday, is advised. When it comes to the return journey, delays are expected on Sunday, November 30, from late morning through evening, with lighter congestion only appearing after 8 p.m. on Monday, December 1.
To ensure a smoother travel experience, AAA recommends getting a good night’s rest, packing an emergency kit, checking tire pressure and battery, filling up the tank before hitting the road, refraining from impaired or distracted driving, and practicing caution when passing vehicles on the side of the road. For those opting to fly, approximately 6 million travellers are expected to take to the skies, with airfare averaging around $700 for a round-trip domestic ticket.
To avoid crowds and potentially save money, flying on Thanksgiving Day may offer cheaper fares and lighter crowds compared to return flights on the busier Sunday and Monday following the holiday. Flexible itineraries and early-morning departures are suggested as means to mitigate delays or cancellations, given the challenges airlines are currently facing.
While road and air travel dominate the holiday season, travellers using alternative modes of transportation such as buses, trains, or boats are also anticipated to join the surge, with nearly 2.5 million people expected to travel by these means – an 8.5% increase over the previous year. In terms of popular travel destinations, Florida remains a top choice for its warm climate, theme parks, and cruise ports, while international travellers are heading to destinations ranging from Caribbean beaches to European cities and even as far as Australia.
In sum, regardless of how one plans to travel this Thanksgiving, preparation and timeliness will be key to ensuring a smooth journey amidst the bustling season. With millions of Americans on the move, a proactive approach can help maintain the holiday spirit and minimise travel discomfort. Whether by road, air, or sea, a little planning can go a long way in making Thanksgiving travel a stress-free experience for all.