WASHINGTON, DC (November 18, 2024) – Get ready for a bustling Thanksgiving travel period in 2024! AAA projects a staggering 79.9 million travelers will journey 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving holiday*. For the first time, AAA’s comprehensive forecast expands to include the Tuesday before and the Monday after Thanksgiving Day, offering a more complete picture of holiday travel trends. This year’s forecast anticipates nearly 80 million travelers, marking a significant increase of 1.7 million compared to last year and a remarkable 2 million more than in pre-pandemic 2019.
“Thanksgiving stands out as the year’s most active travel holiday, and in 2024, we anticipate reaching unprecedented levels across all travel modes, from driving to flying and cruising,” stated Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “Thanksgiving is a cherished time for Americans to reunite with loved ones, and travel is integral to these reunions. The post-pandemic travel surge continues, with AAA members eagerly seeking new adventures and unforgettable vacation experiences.”
Chart showing Thanksgiving travelers by mode of transport from 2019 to 2024, highlighting car travel as the most popular mode and projecting increases in all categories for 2024.
Thanksgiving Travel 2024: Key Travel Modes
Record-Breaking Road Trips: An estimated 71.7 million people are projected to travel by car for Thanksgiving, setting a new record for Thanksgiving road trips. This figure represents an additional 1.3 million drivers compared to last year and surpasses the 70.6 million who drove to their Thanksgiving destinations in 2019, before the pandemic.
Favorable gas prices are a welcome factor for drivers this Thanksgiving. The national average gas price on Thanksgiving Day last year was $3.26. With falling oil prices this autumn, the national average could dip below $3 a gallon for the first time since 2021, potentially before the Thanksgiving travel rush begins. Drivers in regions east of the Rockies may find even more affordable gas, ranging from $2.25 to $2.50 a gallon in over a dozen states.
AAA’s car rental partner, Hertz, reports that Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oahu, Orlando, and Phoenix are experiencing the highest rental demands for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is expected to be the busiest day for car pick-ups, while the Monday and Tuesday following the holiday will likely see the highest volume of rental car returns.
Soaring to New Heights: Thanksgiving Air Travel: Air travel for Thanksgiving is also predicted to reach a new peak. AAA forecasts 5.84 million people will fly domestically this holiday, a 2% increase from last year and nearly an 11% jump compared to 2019. AAA booking data indicates that while the number of flight bookings is similar to last year, domestic Thanksgiving airfares are approximately 3% higher. International flight bookings are experiencing a significant surge, up 23% compared to last Thanksgiving, partly due to a 5% decrease in international airfare costs.
Beyond Driving and Flying: Alternative Transportation: Nearly 2.3 million travelers are expected to utilize other modes of transportation, including buses, cruises, and trains. This category shows an almost 9% increase compared to last year and an impressive 18% rise over 2019, largely fueled by the continued popularity of cruise vacations. Cruise demand has been exceptionally strong in the post-pandemic travel landscape, with domestic and international cruise bookings up 20% compared to last Thanksgiving.
Navigating Thanksgiving Travel: Timing is Key
INRIX, a leading provider of transportation data and insights, advises that the most congested times for Thanksgiving road travel will be Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. For a smoother journey, Thanksgiving Day itself is typically the best day to drive, as interstates and highways are generally less crowded. Travelers returning home on Sunday are advised to depart early in the morning, while those returning on Monday should anticipate traffic from both holiday travelers and regular work commuters.
“With a record number of travelers anticipated on the roads, it’s crucial for drivers to utilize traffic apps and local news alerts to stay informed about potential delays,” recommends Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “This is particularly important for drivers in major metropolitan areas such as Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Washington, DC, where traffic congestion is expected to more than double compared to typical daily levels.”
| Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car |
|---|
| Date |
| Mon, Nov 25 |
| Tue, Nov 26 |
| Wed, Nov 27 |
| Thu, Nov 28 (Thanksgiving Day) |
| Fri, Nov 29 |
| Sat, Nov 30 |
| Sun, Dec 1 |
| Mon, Dec 2 |
| Peak Congestion by Metro |
|---|
| Metro |
| Atlanta |
| Boston |
| Chicago |
| Denver |
| Detroit |
| Houston |
| Los Angeles |
| Minneapolis |
| New York |
| Philadelphia |
| Portland |
| San Diego |
| San Francisco |
| Seattle |
| Tampa |
| Washington, DC |
Top Thanksgiving Travel Destinations in 2024
Warm weather destinations are a popular choice for Thanksgiving getaways. Florida boasts four cities among the top domestic destinations, attracting travelers with beaches, theme parks, and cruise ports. Other sought-after domestic locations include New York, California, Hawaii, and Las Vegas. For international travel, Europe and the Caribbean are leading the way, offering appealing beach resorts, tourist attractions, and river cruise options. The following top Thanksgiving destinations are based on AAA booking data from Tuesday, November 26 to Monday, December 2.
| DOMESTIC | INTERNATIONAL/CARIBBEAN |
|---|---|
| Orlando, FL | Budapest, Hungary |
| Miami, FL | Mexicali, Mexico |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| New York, NY | Cancun, Mexico |
| Anaheim/Los Angeles, CA | Punta Cana, Dominican Republic |
| Tampa, FL | Rome, Italy |
| Honolulu, HI | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| San Francisco, CA | Paris, France |
| Las Vegas, NV | Barcelona, Spain |
| Atlanta, GA | Munich, Germany |
Planning Ahead for Thanksgiving Travel 2024
With Thanksgiving travel expected to reach record levels in 2024, preparation is key. Whether you’re driving, flying, or opting for another mode of transport, being informed and planning ahead can significantly reduce stress and improve your travel experience. Utilize resources like AAA and INRIX to stay updated on traffic conditions and travel forecasts, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday journey.
*The Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as the seven-day period from Tuesday, November 26 to Monday, December 2.
