AAA forecasts a record 81.8 million Americans will travel 50+ miles for Thanksgiving, up 2% from last year. About 73.3 million (≈90%) are expected to drive, adding 1.3 million motorists; over 6 million will fly, and other modes could rise to ~2.5 million. Gas averages $3.07/gal and typical round‑trip fares are about $700. Peak road congestion is expected Tuesday–Wednesday before the holiday, while Thanksgiving Day should see minimal impact.
Record 81.8 Million Americans Expected to Travel This Thanksgiving — Most Will Drive, AAA Says
AAA forecasts a record 81.8 million Americans will travel 50+ miles for Thanksgiving, up 2% from last year. About 73.3 million (≈90%) are expected to drive, adding 1.3 million motorists; over 6 million will fly, and other modes could rise to ~2.5 million. Gas averages $3.07/gal and typical round‑trip fares are about $700. Peak road congestion is expected Tuesday–Wednesday before the holiday, while Thanksgiving Day should see minimal impact.
01:03 AM, 11/18/2025Economy
Nearly 81.8 million Americans expected to travel for Thanksgiving
An estimated 81.8 million Americans are projected to travel at least 50 miles for Thanksgiving this year, according to AAA — a 2% increase from last year’s record of 80.2 million. The forecast signals another busy holiday period on U.S. roads, rails and in the skies.
Driving remains dominant
The overwhelming majority — roughly 73.3 million people (about 90%) — are expected to travel by car. That adds about 1.3 million more drivers on the road compared with last Thanksgiving. That total could climb if some would-be air travelers choose to drive because of recent flight disruptions tied to the U.S. government shutdown.
Air, rail, bus and other travel
More than 6 million Americans are forecast to fly this Thanksgiving, a 2% increase from 2024. Travel by other modes — including buses, trains and boats — is expected to rise by 8.5% to nearly 2.5 million passengers. AAA notes buses and trains may see more last‑minute bookings amid ongoing uncertainty about air travel.
The Federal Aviation Administration lifted its emergency flight restrictions on Monday morning, allowing commercial carriers to resume regular schedules.
Costs and timing
Costs for driving and flying remain roughly in line with last year. The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is about $3.07 (compared with $3.06 a year ago). The typical round‑trip domestic airfare is approximately $700, also similar to 2024.
AAA expects the heaviest road congestion on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving Day. Drivers returning on Sunday after the holiday should also expect heavy traffic through much of the day. The lightest travel is predicted on Thanksgiving Day itself, when AAA forecasts minimal travel impact.
Plan ahead if you can: consider traveling on Thanksgiving Day, allow extra time for peak windows, and check your airline or carrier for last-minute schedule updates.