AAA forecasts that 79.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday period. This year’s projection, which includes the Tuesday before and Monday after Thanksgiving for the first time, marks an increase of 1.7 million travelers compared to 2022 and 2 million more than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, noted the increasing importance of Thanksgiving as a travel holiday, stating, “Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year we’re expecting to set new records across the board, from driving to flying and cruising.”
According to an article published by AAA on November 18, road travel dominates the holiday landscape, with AAA predicting a record 71.7 million people will drive to their destinations. This figure surpasses last year’s numbers by 1.3 million and exceeds pre-pandemic levels of 70.6 million road travelers in 2019.
Lower gas prices are also anticipated to further encourage driving this year, as the national average may fall below $3 per gallon for the first time since 2021, according to AAA. Drivers in regions east of the Rockies are expected to see prices between $2.25 and $2.50 per gallon in several states.
For those renting cars, AAA partner Hertz highlights high demand in cities such as Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oahu, Orlando, and Phoenix. The busiest day for car rentals is projected to be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, while the majority of returns are expected on the Monday and Tuesday following the holiday.
Air travel is also poised to reach a new peak, with 5.84 million travelers expected to fly during the holiday. This represents a 2% increase compared to last year and an 11% rise over 2019. According to AAA, domestic flight bookings reflect steady demand despite a 3% rise in airfare costs. Meanwhile, international bookings have surged by 23%, partially driven by a 5% decline in international flight prices.
AAA data further reveals a growing interest in alternative travel options, with nearly 2.3 million people choosing buses, cruises, or trains for their Thanksgiving journeys. This category has seen an 18% increase compared to 2019, with cruising leading the charge.
