Texas sees highest number Thanksgiving travel ever recorded

WACO, Texas (KWTX) – Texas will see 5.7 million people travel for Thanksgiving this year, according to AAA. 5.3 million of those will be traveling by car.

The number of travelers for Thanksgiving in 2024 is the highest AAA has seen since it began tracking holiday travel in 2000.

AAA spokesperson, Daniel Armbruster said I-35 will see heavy traffic this Thanksgiving.

“Certainly you wanna avoid major metro areas but we could also see traffic congestion here in the Waco area as well this afternoon and evening on Interstate 35,” Armbruster said. “And of course, just going to the grocery store today was quite a trip in itself.”

Armbruster said the gas prices are the lowest in Texas since 2020 which could be a factor in the increased amount of travel this holiday.

“Now that of course things are back open we do see gas prices at the lowest level they’ve been at in 4 years and so that of course is a great incentive to encourage people to travel and to get out,” Armbruster said.

Armbruster recommends vehicles be equipped for emergencies before beginning travel.

“You’re gonna have to pack your patience as a lot of people say because there’s really not a lot that can be done if you have to travel this evening on Interstate 35 or go to a major metro area in the state,” Armbruster said. “You’re just going to run into the typical holiday traffic jam.”

Armbruster said the best way to avoid traffic is to leave Thanksgiving morning.

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