Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and this year it looks set to be the most traveled holiday yet. According to projections from AAA, nearly 80 million Americans will be venturing out to celebrate the festive day, marking a considerable uptick from last year. Specifically, the travel surge is expected to occur between November 26 and December 2, and it is set to outstrip the pre-pandemic numbers from 2019.
The AAA’s forecast suggests around 79.86 million holiday travelers will make their way more than 50 miles from home, which is roughly 1.7 million more than the total recorded last year. That’s about 2.7% higher than the 77.8 million people who traveled back then. This increase in travel reflects the continued recovery of travel habits as the nation moves past the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
AAA explained the upcoming travel surge primarily stems from the increasing desire among families and friends to celebrate together after periods of separation. “Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year we’re expecting to set new records across the board, from driving to flying and cruising,” remarked Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel.
Most travelers will opt for the convenience of car journeys, with around 71.7 million Americans expected to be taking to the roads, which is up by about 1.9% from last year. With Tuesday before Thanksgiving anticipated to be the busiest travel day, followed by Wednesday, Drivers are advised to plan their trips early. INRIX, a transportation software and analytics company, indicates peak congestion times will occur on these two days, particularly between 1 PM and 5 PM on Tuesday, and from 1 PM to 7 PM on Wednesday.
Interestingly, Thanksgiving Day itself tends to be the lightest day for travel, allowing those who choose to travel on the holiday to navigate with relatively less traffic. AAA has been advising travelers to hit the road early on Thanksgiving Day to avoid any last-minute rush, as many families are hosting festivities and will wait until later to travel.
For those taking to the skies, air travel is expected to rise by around 2.1%, with AAA estimating 5.84 million Americans will be flying to their holiday destinations. This is impressive, considering the rebound from previous years where travel was heavily restricted. For the third year running, flying is increasingly becoming the choice for many holiday travelers, especially with international travels also witnessing significant boosts. For example, AAA's projections show 14.2 million residents from the Pacific states, including Alaska and California, will head out on road trips this holiday season.
Price of gas is another factor driving this year's travel surge, as drivers are expected to enjoy lower prices at the pump, with the average cost per gallon fluctuated between $3.00 and $3.40. This reduction is due to decreasing prices since military recovery patterns have started to stabilize the supply chain. Lower gas prices mean fewer financial barriers for families considering road trips for the holiday.
But it’s not just cars and planes seeing increased traffic; bus, train, and cruise travel will also see significant growth. Nationally, almost 2.3 million travelers will utilize these forms of transport, representing a 9% increase year-on-year. More than 90,000 Connecticut residents alone are expected to travel by this means, with expectations adjusting to incorporate travelers needing to reserve their spots or secure their destination effectively.
For Connecticut, over 839,000 residents will travel over Thanksgiving, marking approximately 2.1% over last year. It’s projected across New England, about 3.5 million residents will also be on the move during this period, underscoring the state’s significance as part of the overall travel picture.
“We see the Thanksgiving holiday as not just another break, but as a chance for families to reconnect and for friends to gather around the table again,” said Tracy Noble, spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance. This sentiment resonates with many as the holiday nears, and excitement builds around the thought of gathering with loved ones once more.
Beyond the logistics of travel, safety remains a top priority during this busy period. AAA’s projections also note the need for travelers to maintain road safety and follow regulations on alcohol consumption, as drunk driving incidents tend to rise substantially during this festive season. Drivers are encouraged to stay alert and plan accordingly to avoid any mishaps or accidents.
Taking precautions, booking parking passes early, arriving at airports well before flights, and considering public transport, where available, are all sound practices leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday. Traffic analysts stress the importance of using traffic apps and local news alerts to navigate the congested routes, particularly during peak periods.
Many travelers have already booked flights to some of the season's hottest holiday destinations. Places like Honolulu are expected to be ranked among the top ten travel spots based on AAA booking data.
With Thanksgiving fast approaching, individuals are reminded to prepare and set their plans early for the maximum enjoyment and ease of travel. The prospect of being caught up among the busy traffic or delayed at the airport is enough to encourage many to finalize their travel logistics sooner rather than later.
Public transport, road travel, and air travel are all gearing up for what looks to be the busiest Thanksgiving holiday period on record. Excitement mounts as families prepare to gather, creating memorable moments filled with love and gratitude. This year's forecast guarantees one thing: there’s no place like home for the holidays!
