80 Million People Are Traveling for Thanksgiving. Here's the Best Time to Leave and Avoid Delays

If you’re like me, you’re preparing to travel Thanksgiving week. While many Americans may not be driving 1,100 miles like I am, you’re still probably confirming flights or looking at the best routes for your drive to see family. 

In fact, AAA is predicting that 80 million people will be traveling at least 50 miles from home for Thanksgiving, and the Transportation Security Administration is readying for its busiest Thanksgiving on record.

That means one in four people in the US will be hitting the roads or airports at the same time next week. To help you avoid delays and nightmare experiences, we’ve reviewed Google Maps’ trends to learn the best times for travel and the busiest time frames to avoid, depending on the day you decide to leave home. 

If you’re traveling, definitely don’t miss our tips for packing your carry-on to avoid issues with TSA or this Google Flights feature for ultracheap plane tickets. 

The best and worst time to travel this Thanksgiving

I doubt there’s a person in the US who likes to drive in traffic, especially holiday congestion, when you’re trying your best to get your pies and casseroles to the meal on time. To travel with the fewest delays and avoid traffic, follow these tips, according to Google data. 

Start your drive early if you can. Roads are clearest the Sunday and Monday before Thanksgiving around 8 p.m. Make sure you don’t leave too early, though. The Friday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 22 this year, is typically when traffic is the worst, especially between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Avoid driving on Thanksgiving Day. Google data recommends that you avoid driving on the day of Thanksgiving all together. If you absolutely have to, it’s best to hit the road before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m. day-of to avoid getting stuck in heavy traffic. 

Avoid flights on the weekends. If you’re opting to fly instead of drive, don’t book flights on weekends when airfare is the most expensive and airports are the busiest. If you already have flights planned for a weekend before or after Thanksgiving, make sure to get to the airport earlier than you usually do, especially if your flight is around 11 a.m. — since that’s typically when airports are most hectic.

Read more: Here’s the Best Time to Buy Cheap Plane Tickets, According to Google Flights Data

The worst time to leave for in-store Black Friday shopping 

While I prefer online shopping, many Americans love the in-store experience of Black Friday sales. If that’s you, plan ahead to avoid congestion. 

The roads are busiest between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Black Friday. Plan to shop in the morning or evening to skip the traffic jams and find a parking spot. 

Look ahead for Christmas travel

Since you’re planning your Thanksgiving route, go ahead and prepare for Christmas, too. It’s best to avoid driving between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the days leading up to Dec. 25. 

To skip long lines, congestion and headaches, review Google Maps’ Popular Times trends to learn about the best and worst times to visit top holiday spots, such as gas stations, grocery stores and airports. 

For more tips, check out this Thanksgiving cheat sheet for home and kitchen hacks.