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Traveling for Thanksgiving? AAA predicts record-breaking numbers. What this means for you

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Traveling for Thanksgiving? AAA predicts record-breaking numbers. What this means for you

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Planning to travel this Thanksgiving? Make sure to add extra time to your trip.

AAA predicts more people than ever will travel this holiday, with a record-breaking nearly 80 million. That’s a 2.1% increase over last year.

While AAA did include two more travel days this year − the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and the Monday following it (AAA usually makes its Thanksgiving predictions for Wednesday through Sunday) − the estimated increase of 2.1% factors in travelers on Tuesday and Monday of last year.

“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,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel Services. “AAA continues to see travel demand soar post-pandemic with our members looking for new adventures and memorable vacations.”

Drivers, beware: More people on the roads than ever

More travelers than ever will be hitting the road this Thanksgiving, with a projected record of 71.7 million drivers. That’s 1.3 million more than last year, AAA said.

This year is also expected to surpass pre-pandemic numbers. More than 70.5 million drivers traveled in 2019.

Some of this surge may have to do with gas prices, which are lower this season than last.

The national average last Thanksgiving Day was $3.26. Oil prices have fallen this autumn, though, which could help push the national average below $3 a gallon for the first time since 2021.

As of Monday, the average price nationally was $3.07. In Delaware, it was $3.11.

That’s still down from a year ago when it was $3.32 nationally and $3.16 locally.

On Monday, New Castle County recorded the cheapest gas in the state, with an average of $3.08. Kent was the highest with an average of $3.16.

When are the best and worst times to drive this Thanksgiving?

INRIX, a transportation data and insights company, says the worst times to travel by car over the Thanksgiving week are Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon.

The best time to drive is Thanksgiving Day. That’s when interstates and highways are typically clear.

Drivers returning home on Sunday should leave early in the morning, and those coming back Monday should expect a mix of travelers and work commuters on the road, AAA said.

Air travel expected to reach record highs

The number of people flying this Thanksgiving is also expected to break previous records, with 5.84 million predicted to fly domestically. That’s a 2% increase compared to last year and a nearly 11% increase over 2019, according to AAA.

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Booking data from the auto club shows air travelers are paying 3% more for domestic Thanksgiving flights this year, though the number of flight bookings is similar to last year.

International bookings, however, are up 23% compared to last Thanksgiving. AAA said this has to do with the fact that the cost to fly internationally is down 5%.

‘Other’ modes of transport also expected to see great increase

The number of people traveling by other modes − bus, ship and train − is also expected to grow significantly this year compared to last.

Nearly 2.3 million people will fall in this “other” category, AAA said, marking an increase of 9%. When compared to 2019, it’ll be a jump of 18%.

This has to do with the popularity of taking cruises, which have been “red-hot” since the pandemic, AAA said.

Both domestic and international cruise bookings are up 20% compared to last Thanksgiving.

Got a tip? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com or 302-324-2785. For all things breaking news, follow her on X at @izzihughes_

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