Another record number of Americans plan to travel for Thanksgiving this year, so be prepared for extra busy roads and airports.
Nearly 80 million Americans are predicted to travel this year – 1.7 million more than last year and two million more than in 2019, according to AAA.
“Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year we expect to set new records across the board, from driving to flying and cruising,” Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement. “Americans reconnect with family and friends during Thanksgiving, and travel is a big part of that. AAA travel demand continues to rise post-pandemic, with our members looking for new adventures and unforgettable vacations.”
Here’s everything you need to know about Thanksgiving travel this year.
How to deal with a flight disruption: How to get help from airlines and travel insurance if your flight is canceled or delayed
The best and worst days to fly for Thanksgiving
Security checkpoint at Denver International Airport on November 22, 2022.
Air travelers should prepare for long lines at U.S. airports as the number of airline seats scheduled for the Thanksgiving travel period increased 4.8% this year compared to last year, according to Hopper’s 2024 Thanksgiving Outlook & Busiest Airports.
The busiest day for air travel is Sunday, December 1, while the least busy day is Thanksgiving Day, November 28; Black Friday, November 29; and Tuesday, December 3.
According to Hopper, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Denver International Airport are expected to be the busiest airports during Thanksgiving week, especially in the morning between 8 a.m. and noon.
Best and worst times to drive to the airport for Thanksgiving
If you’re picking up or dropping off a loved one at the airport this Thanksgiving, you might encounter some traffic. According to data from Google Maps, US airports are busiest on Saturdays between 10am and 12pm and least busy on Sundays between 7am and 10pm.
What are the worst times to drive for Thanksgiving?
According to INRIX, roads will likely be busiest on the days immediately before Thanksgiving, including Tuesday, November 26, between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM, and Wednesday, November 27, between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
Travelers returning home will experience the heaviest traffic on Sunday, December 1 between noon and 6 p.m. Travelers traveling between 9am and 6pm on Mondays should expect traffic caused by both travelers and commuters.
What are the best times to drive for Thanksgiving?
The roads on Thanksgiving Day itself will be the emptiest during the holiday season, INRIX found.
However, if you have to travel on the days before Thanksgiving, try to leave as early as possible. Traffic is expected to be at its lightest before 11am on Monday, November 25; 10am on Tuesday, November 26; and 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27.
After Thanksgiving, the best driving times are early morning or late evening. Travelers should aim to hit the road after 1pm on Friday 29 November; Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 before 1:00 PM and on Monday, December 2 before 8:00 AM or after 7:00 PM.
Worst travel times in major US cities
“With record numbers of travelers expected to be on the road, drivers should monitor traffic apps and local news alerts to avoid major delays,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, said in a statement.
“This is especially important for motorists in metropolitan areas like Boston, New York, LA, Seattle and Washington, DC, where traffic is expected to be more than double what it normally is on a normal day,” Pishue added to it.
Atlanta
◾ Worst route: Birmingham to Atlanta via I-20 E
◾ Worst day: Sunday
◾ Worst time: 4:45 p.m
◾ Estimated travel time: 3 hours and 17 minutes
◾ Increased travel time: 38%
Boston
◾ Worst route: Boston to Portsmouth via I-95 N
◾ Worst day: Tuesday
◾ Worst time: 3:45 p.m
◾ Estimated travel time: 2 hours and 35 minutes
◾ Increased travel time: 117%
Chicago
◾ Worst route: Indianapolis to Chicago via I-65 N
◾ Worst day: Sunday
◾ Worst time: 3:45 p.m
◾ Estimated travel time: 4 hours and 11 minutes
◾ Increased travel time: 45%
Los Angeles
◾ Worst route: Los Angeles to Bakersfield via I-5 N
◾ Worst day: Wednesday
◾ Worst time: 7:45 PM
◾ Estimated travel time: 3 hours and 49 minutes
◾ Increased travel time: 111%
New York
◾ Worst route: New York to Hamptons via Long Island Expressway E
◾ Worst day: Tuesday
◾ Worst time: 4:30 p.m
◾ Estimated travel time: 3 hours and 27 minutes
◾ Increased travel time: 133%
San Francisco
◾ Worst route: San Francisco to Sacramento via I-80 E
◾ Worst day: Tuesday
◾ Worst time: 7:30 PM
◾ Estimated travel time: 3 hours and 2 minutes
◾ Increased travel time: 88%
Seattle
◾ Worst route: Seattle to Ellensburg via I-90 W
◾ Worst day: Tuesday
◾ Worst time: 7 p.m
◾ Estimated travel time: 3 hours and 31 minutes
◾ Increased travel time: 119%
Washington, DC
◾ Worst route: Washington, DC to Annapolis
◾ Worst day: Tuesday
◾ Worst time: 10:30 am
◾ Estimated travel time: 1 hour
◾ Increased travel time: 120%
Atlanta
◾ Worst route:
◾ Worst day:
◾ Worst time:
◾ Estimated travel time: 4 hours and 2 minutes.
◾ Increased travel time:
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Best and Worst Times to Fly, Drive for Thanksgiving Travel 2024
