The finest, worst days to journey for Thanksgiving 2025

• A file 81.8 million Americans are anticipated to journey for the Thanksgiving vacation.
• Travelers ought to keep away from driving within the afternoon and night on the Tuesday and Wednesday earlier than Thanksgiving to overlook the worst site visitors.

One of the busiest journey days is amongst us with Thanksgiving arriving on Nov. 27, additionally marking the beginning of the vacation journey season.

This 12 months, 81.8 million Americans are set to journey between Nov. 25 and Dec. 1 – roughly 1.6 million greater than final 12 months – as soon as once more breaking a brand new file for home vacationers, based on AAA. The majority of Thanksgiving vacationers will hit the street, however about 6 million are set to take to the skies to achieve their locations.

There will even be a file progress of cruisers having fun with the vacation week.

“Thanksgiving travel numbers are always impressive because this holiday has become synonymous with heading out of town to spend time with loved ones,” stated Stacey Barber, vice chairman of AAA Travel, in a press release. “People are willing to brave the crowds and make last-minute adjustments to their plans to make lifelong memories, whether it’s visiting extended family or meeting up with friends.”

Here’s what to find out about Thanksgiving journey.

Travel on a budget: We checked the costs on how a lot Thanksgiving journey might price if you happen to do not fly

Are Thanksgiving flights costlier this 12 months?

Actually, no. According to AAA information, the common home round-trip flight prices $700, near final 12 months’s costs. Priceline’s information discovered that the common home round-trip ticket was even cheaper, at $403, or 5% lower than in 2024.

What are the highest Thanksgiving locations?

Many home vacationers will likely be heading to warm-weather locations, with the most well-liked being Orlando, Florida; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Miami, Los Angeles and Tampa, Florida, based on AAA.

Those who’re going abroad will head to a mixture of European and seashore locales, similar to Amsterdam, Paris and Vienna, in addition to Mexico’s Cancun and Punta Cana.

What are the very best occasions to drive for Thanksgiving weekend?

Drivers who wish to keep away from getting caught in site visitors for his or her Thanksgiving journeys ought to head out as early as potential. When departing to your vacation vacation spot, INRIX recommends vacationers depart earlier than midday on Tuesday, Nov. 25, and 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26, with Thanksgiving Day seeing the least site visitors.

After Thanksgiving Day, the very best driving occasions are earlier than 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 28; earlier than 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29 and earlier than 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30. On Monday, Dec. 1, the least site visitors is predicted to be after 8 p.m.

What are the worst occasions to drive for Thanksgiving weekend?

The days with the worst site visitors throughout Thanksgiving week are anticipated to be on Tuesday, Nov. 25, between midday and 9 p.m., and Wednesday, Nov. 26, from 11 a.m. to eight p.m. as vacationers head to their last locations, based on INRIX. Sunday, Nov. 30, will even face heavy congestion as folks head dwelling, particularly between 11 a.m. and eight p.m.

Other days of the vacation week may see site visitors jams, particularly between 1 p.m. and seven p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28; 1 p.m. and eight p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29; and midday and eight p.m. on Monday, Dec. 1, based on INRIX.

Peak congestion occasions in main US cities

Atlanta

• Worst route: Atlanta to Savannah through I-16 E
• Worst day: Sunday, Nov. 30
• Worst time: 3:30 p.m.
• Estimated journey time: 5 hours, 16 minutes
• 53% elevated journey time

Boston

• Worst route: Boston to Hyannis through Pilgrims Hwy S
• Worst day: Thursday, Nov. 27
• Worst time: 11:45 a.m.
• Estimated journey time: 2 hours
• 108% elevated journey time

Denver

• Worst route: Pueblo to Denver through I-25 N
• Worst day: Tuesday, Nov. 25
• Worst time: 5:30 p.m.
• Estimated journey time: 3 hours
• 64% elevated journey time

Houston

• Worst route: Galveston to Houston through I-45 N
• Worst day: Tuesday, Nov. 25
• Worst time: 5:30 p.m.
• Estimated journey time: 1 hour, quarter-hour
• 47% elevated journey time

Los Angeles

• Worst route: Los Angeles to Bakersfield through I-5 N
• Worst day: Wednesday, Nov. 26
• Worst time: 7:45 p.m.
• Estimated journey time: 4 hours, 10 minutes
• 147% elevated journey time

New York

• Worst route: New York to Hamptons through Long Island Expressway E
• Worst day: Tuesday, Nov. 25
• Worst time: 4:30 p.m.
• Estimated journey time: 4 hours, 8 minutes
• 163% elevated journey time.

San Francisco

• Worst route: San Francisco to Santa Rosa through US-101 N
• Worst day: Tuesday, Nov. 25
• Worst time: 7:15 p.m.
• Estimated journey time: 2 hours, 34 minutes
• 114% elevated journey time.

Washington, DC

• Worst route: Washington, DC to Baltimore through Balt/Wash Parkway N
• Worst day: Tuesday, Nov. 25
• Worst time: 4:30 p.m.
• Estimated journey time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
• 166% elevated journey time.