Thanksgiving Travel Surge: 81.8 Million Expected to Travel — 73M Driving, Flights Near 15-Year High

Millions of Americans are expected to travel over the Thanksgiving period, creating one of the heaviest holiday travel windows in recent years. Transportation providers and safety groups are preparing for congested roads, busy airports and crowded rental counters as families reunite.

AAA forecasts that 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles for the holiday, and an estimated 73 million of them will go by car. AAA warns that driving totals could rise further if some passengers switch to driving because of flight disruptions or cancellations.

AAA reported that car-rental partner Hertz expects Wednesday to be the busiest pickup day. The top markets showing the strongest demand for rentals are Orlando, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Newark. AAA’s booking data indicates domestic car rentals are about 15% cheaper than last Thanksgiving.

Rail operator leadership has urged passengers to book holiday train tickets as early as possible to avoid sold-out routes and last-minute complications.

Driving may also be less expensive this year: price tracker GasBuddy projects a national gas average of approximately $3.02 per gallon over the holiday, matching last year and marking one of the lowest Thanksgiving price points since the pandemic years of 2021–2022.

Safety organizations are reminding travelers to plan ahead. AAA and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) recommend arranging rideshares, public transit or a designated sober driver if you plan to drink. These precautions help reduce impaired driving and keep roadways safer for everyone.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said more than 360,000 flights were scheduled across the Thanksgiving travel window and described the period as the busiest in about 15 years. The FAA identified Nov. 25 as the peak travel day with just over 52,000 flights scheduled, while Thursday of the holiday week shows the fewest flights at roughly 25,600. Travel volume is expected to climb again toward Sunday with about 51,268 flights.

"Thanks to the dedication of our air traffic controllers and every FAA employee, we are ready for the holiday rush and take pride in helping travelers reach their friends and families during this important time of year," FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said. "I am deeply grateful to our entire FAA team. Even through a period of record-high traffic, their unwavering commitment keeps the system running safely."

At the Department of Transportation, Secretary Sean Duffy has launched a "Golden Age of Travel" initiative encouraging more civility and consideration among travelers. The campaign urges passengers to be courteous, patient and mindful of others when navigating airports and flights.

With airlines, car-rental companies and rail providers preparing for heavy demand, officials emphasize planning, patience and responsible behavior. Practical steps to reduce stress: book early, arrive at airports and stations with extra time, confirm reservations, consider alternate travel days and have a backup plan in case of disruptions.