When to anticipate the worst visitors

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – The busiest journey vacation of the yr is just some days away, and in line with the American Automobile Association, a record-breaking variety of Tennesseans are anticipated to take journeys.

During the Thanksgiving vacation interval — which runs from Tuesday, Nov. 25 to Monday, Dec. 1 — AAA tasks greater than 1.9 million Tennesseans will journey not less than 50 miles from dwelling, which is a 1.9% improve over final yr and units a new report for Thanksgiving journey in the Volunteer State.

Officials supplied some extra particular stats for Tennessee Thanksgiving vacationers:

• Total vacationers: 1,933,203 (up 1.9%)
• By automotive: 1,859,108 (up 1.8%)
• By air: 51,445 (up 0.3%)
• By different modes (bus, practice, cruise): 22,649 (up 8.9%)

“Tennesseans are embracing the Thanksgiving spirit with record-breaking travel plans this year,” mentioned Debbie Haas, vp of journey for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Whether it’s driving across the state or flying across the country, people are making time to connect with loved ones. Even with concerns about flight cancellations, travelers are showing flexibility and resilience and relying most on driving.”

On a nationwide degree, officers mentioned a complete of 81.8 million Americans are anticipated to journey for Thanksgiving 2025, up by 1.6 million in comparison with Thanksgiving 2024.

Top Thanksgiving Destinations

Officials supplied a listing of high vacation locations based mostly on AAA reserving information for the Thanksgiving journey interval. With its theme parks and cruise ports, Florida homes the most well-liked home locations. As for the worldwide areas, the listing options a mixture of Europe, the Caribbean, and Australia for its heat spring climate this time of yr. 

Traveling by Car

AAA tasks practically 73 million Americans — virtually 90% of all vacation vacationers — will journey by automotive this Thanksgiving. In Tennessee, greater than 1.8 million residents are anticipated to drive to their locations, however that quantity might rise if vacationers desire to keep away from potential flight disruptions.

Hertz, AAA’s automotive rental accomplice, reported Wednesday, Nov. 26 would be the busiest day for car pickups. However, home automotive rental charges are down 15% in comparison with this time final yr.

As for fuel costs, officers mentioned they’re just like final Thanksgiving, when the nationwide common was $3.06 per gallon. Nevertheless, seeing as AAA responded to just about 600,000 roadside help calls nationwide — lots of which concerned useless batteries, flat tires, and empty gasoline tanks — vacationers are inspired to refill the evening earlier than touring, in addition to examine the battery and tire stress.

AAA and Mothers Against Drunk Driving additionally urge vacationers to plan forward to allow them to keep away from impaired driving. Between 2019 and 2023, officers mentioned 868 individuals died in crashes involving drunk driving round Thanksgiving, accounting for 35% of all visitors fatalities in the course of the vacation interval.

According to INRIX, the afternoons of Tuesday, Nov. 25 and Wednesday, Nov. 26 would be the most congested journey instances earlier than Thanksgiving. Then, on Sunday, Nov. 30, heavy visitors is anticipated all day as vacationers return dwelling. The full breakdown of one of the best and worst instances to drive is included beneath:

AAA recommends leaving early; staying alert for development, crashes, or climate delays; and slowing down and shifting over for emergency responders and stopped autos.

Traveling by Air

AAA expects 6 million Americans to fly domestically this Thanksgiving, which is 2% greater than final yr. That prediction consists of greater than 51,000 individuals in Tennessee, although it might find yourself being much less as flights get canceled or vacationers change their plans.

According to officers, home airfares in 2025 are just like these in 2024, averaging $700 for a round-trip. While flying on Thanksgiving Day can supply financial savings, return flights the next Sunday and Monday are usually the costliest.

“With recent flight reductions and the potential for last-minute cancellations, we encourage air travelers to build flexibility into their plans,” Haas said. “Consider flying on less busy days, booking early morning departures when delays are less likely, and having a backup plan in case your flight is disrupted. Whether that means adjusting your return date or being ready to drive, a little preparation can go a long way in helping you navigate the unexpected.”

At Nashville International Airport, officers mentioned they anticipate a rise in journey exercise round Thanksgiving, however record-breaking numbers aren’t anticipated. Even although it’s not a peak journey interval for BNA, passengers ought to anticipate greater volumes on Sunday, Nov. 23; Wednesday, Nov. 26; and Sunday, Nov. 30.

The Transportation Security Administration mentioned it’s ready to display screen greater than 17.8 million individuals from Tuesday, Nov. 25 to Tuesday, Dec. 2, with over 3 million simply on Sunday, Nov. 30.

“We are projecting that the Sunday after Thanksgiving will be one of the busiest travel days in TSA history,” mentioned Adam Stahl, senior official performing the duties of deputy TSA administrator. “Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem, America is entering a Golden Age of Travel as record numbers of holiday travelers are taking to the skies. The majority of TSA’s Top 10 Travel Days have happened since President Trump took office. We are extremely grateful for the tireless work of our TSA Officers, who showed up every day to ensure Americans can travel freely and safely despite the hardships imposed on them by the shutdown.”

TSA supplied the next ideas for all flyers forward of the vacation journey interval:

• Have legitimate ID: Bring your REAL ID, passport, or different acceptable form of identification and have it out to indicate the TSA officer on the checkpoint entrance.
• Pack sensible: Listen to directions from TSA officers whereas on the safety checkpoint. If you may have questions on airport safety, textual content 275-872 to have interaction with TSA’s digital assistant.
• Enroll in TSA PreCheck: Children 17 and underneath can be part of an grownup with TSA PreCheck without cost.

By Other Modes of Transportation

AAA mentioned journey by bus, practice, and cruise is anticipated to rise 8.5% nationally, reaching practically 2.5 million individuals, together with greater than 22,000 Tennesseans.

Cruise journey, specifically, continues to surge, with officers projecting 20.7 million U.S. cruise passengers in 2025 and 21.7 million in 2026. Thanksgiving cruises to the Caribbean are particularly standard due to the nice and cozy climate and all-inclusive enchantment.

To be taught extra about AAA’s vacation journey forecast methodology, click here.