AAA predicts that more than 54 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving this year — nearly a 5% increase from last year. That rise equates to roughly 2.5 million additional travelers on roads, rails, waterways, and in the air during the Thanksgiving travel period, Nov. 21–25.
Of the expected 54 million travelers, about 48.5 million will be traveling by car, making road travel by far the most common mode of transportation over the holiday.
Air travel is also expected to see a notable rise: a record increase of 5.4% is projected, bringing the total number of flyers to approximately 4.27 million.
Those using public transportation — including buses, trains, and cruise ships — are forecast to increase by about 1.4%. While that percentage may seem small, it represents roughly 1.48 million travelers and contributes meaningfully to overall holiday travel volumes.
Given these projections, roads are likely to be the busiest of all transportation systems. Travelers should plan for heavy traffic and congestion, especially during peak travel times such as the morning commute. For detailed timing and location-specific information, consult the full AAA travel report and consider using AAA’s mobile tools for real-time updates while on the go.