Record breaking numbers of travelers expected to hit the road this Thanksgiving holiday

Record breaking numbers of travelers are expected to hit the road and head to the airport this year. 

A total of 81.8 million people are expected to travel 50 miles from home or more from Tuesday, November 25th through Monday, December 1st – 1.6 million more travelers as compared to 2024. These are all time record breaking numbers, reported AAA.

At least 73 million people, or 90% of all Thanksgiving travelers, are expected to travel by car, making for 1.3 million more people on the road as compared to 2024. The Tuesday and Wednesdsy before Thanksgiving are expected to see the most road congestion, while the Sunday after Thanksgiving is expected to the most congestion following the holiday. 

“Thanksgiving travel numbers are always impressive because this holiday has become synonymous with heading out of town to spend time with loved ones,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “People are willing to brave the crowds and make last-minute adjustments to their plans to make lifelong memories, whether it’s visiting extended family or meeting up with friends.”

Between 2019 and 2023, 35% of holiday season drunk driving crashes ocurred during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urges travelers to plan ahead and use caution.