AAA research indicates that 55.4 million travelers will travel 50 miles or further during Thanksgiving holiday travel period in 2023, an increase of 2.3% over last year’s projection and third highest since AAA began tracking holiday travel tracking back in 2000; 2005 and 2019 being top two years, respectively.
“Thanksgiving and travel go hand-in-hand for many Americans, and this year’s Thanksgiving travel forecast reflects that connection,” according to Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “Travel demand has been strong throughout 2018, reflecting people’s desire to get away and spend quality time with family and friends. Our Thanksgiving forecast shows this desire reflected.”
AAA projects 49.1 million Americans will take to their vehicles this Thanksgiving Day – up 1.7% year over year from 2022 – AAA also estimates drivers could pay less for gas than last Thanksgiving when it averaged $3.58; currently it peaked in August at $3.87 and has steadily decreased since. Global tensions continue to have an impactful influence on oil markets worldwide, potentially altering gas pricing patterns significantly.
AAA projects 4.7 million travelers will take to the skies during Thanksgiving week – up 6.6% year-on-year and the highest total since 2005. Tuesday and Wednesday leading up to Thanksgiving are typically the busiest travel days and costliest. Sunday tends to be busiest for returning home post Thanksgiving dinner; however, AAA data suggests Monday may also be an effective day.
AAA expects 1.55 million travelers will use cruise, bus and train transportation during Thanksgiving this year; an increase of nearly 11 % year over year from last year’s numbers. “The cruise industry in particular has experienced a remarkable comeback and many travelers opting to spend Thanksgiving aboard one of the many available Thanksgiving cruises,” noted Twidale.
Best/Worst Times to Drive and Peak Congestion by Metro
INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects Wednesday, November 22 to be the busiest travel day of the Thanksgiving holiday travel period – with average travel times being up to 80% longer than normal in some metro areas. They advise leaving before 6 p.m. for optimal holiday congestion avoidance.
“The day before Thanksgiving can be one of the busiest roadways. Travelers should anticipate long delays, especially near major metros,” according to Bob Pishue, transportation analyst with INRIX. Knowing when and where congestion will form can help alleviate holiday traffic frustrations; we advise drivers using traffic apps, local DOT notifications and 511 services for real-time updates.”
Top Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Destinations Options
Warm weather destinations such as Florida theme parks, tourist attractions, historic sites, and cruise port cities top this year’s domestic destinations, while two cities in Mexico make international lists this holiday season.
Orlando tops the U.S. Thanksgiving weekend destinations list this year, followed by Fort Lauderdale and Miami; Cancun and Mexico City rank highly on Americans’ travel destinations this Thanksgiving holiday season.