Driving for Thanksgiving? Best and worst times to hit the road

AAA predicts a record 80 million Americans will travel for Thanksgiving this year, up from 78 million in 2022. Here’s the breakdown:

• 72 million will travel by car.
• 5.8 million will fly.
• 2.3 million will use buses, trains, or other modes of transportation. (Some of us may even opt for a canoe!)

Worst Travel Times

The busiest times to be on the road vary by destination, but here’s a general guide:

• Heading Out:
  Tuesday, Nov. 21: 1:00 PM–7:00 PM
  Wednesday, Nov. 22: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
  
• Heading Back:
  Sunday, Dec. 1: 12:00 PM–6:00 PM
  Monday, Dec. 2: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (heavily impacted by regular commuter traffic).
  

Best Travel Day

For those hitting the road, Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 23) is the best time to drive. Traffic tends to be lighter on the holiday itself.

For more information on Thanksgiving travel trends, visit AAA’s Travel Resources or consult real-time traffic updates to plan your trip. Safe travels!