🚗🦃 The Best and Worst Days to Drive for Thanksgiving
Get ready for the Thanksgiving travel rush! 🚗🦃 AAA predicts record-breaking traffic this year, and we break down the best and worst times to hit the road, plus what to expect with gas prices and rental cars. Stay prepared, avoid the gridlock, and plan the smoothest trip possible this holiday season.
11/20/20251 min read
If you’re planning to travel for Thanksgiving, get ready. AAA says this year is going to be one of the busiest ever. 😬🚗
They’re expecting just under 82 million people to head out for the holiday:👉 73.3 million driving👉 6 million flying ✈️👉 2.5 million taking buses, trains, and everything else (someone out there is definitely traveling by canoe 🛶).
🚫 Worst Times to Leave
It depends a little on your destination, but in general these are the traffic nightmares:
🔴 Next Tuesday: Noon to 9 PM🔴 Next Wednesday: 11 AM to 8 PM
Yes… basically the entire day. Leave early if you can. Like before-sunrise early. 🌅😅
🚫 Worst Times to Come Home
If you’re trying to return after the holiday:
🔴 Sunday, Nov. 30: 11 AM to 8 PM🔴 Monday, Dec. 1: Noon to 8 PM (extra rough because of regular commuter traffic 🚗🚗🚗)
🟢 Best Day to Drive
Thanksgiving Day itself. Roads are usually clear, vibes are good, and everyone else is already carving turkeys. 🦃✨
🚙 Other Travel Notes
⭐ Hertz says next Wednesday will be the busiest day for rental car pick-ups.⭐ Good news: rental rates are down 15% from last year.⭐ Gas prices should be similar to last Thanksgiving, when the national average was $3.06 per gallon.
So map out your escape plan now — or prepare to spend Thanksgiving yelling at traffic. 😅🛣️