AAA Predicts Third Busiest Thanksgiving Travel Period Since Tracking Started in 2000

Over 55 million Americans are expected to travel next week.

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WASHINGTON, DC – AAA projects 55.4 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, up 2.3 percent over last year.

This year marks the third-highest Thanksgiving forecast since AAA began tracking holiday travel in 2000. The top two years are 2005 and 2019.

“For many Americans, Thanksgiving and travel go hand in hand, and this holiday, we expect more people on the roads, skies, and seas compared to 2022,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “Travel demand has been strong all year, and AAA’s Thanksgiving forecast reflects that continued desire to get away and spend time with loved ones.”

AAA projects 49.1 million Americans drive to their destination, an increase of 1.7 percent compared to 2022. Drivers can expect to pay less for gas than last Thanksgiving when the national average was $3.58. The current national average for a gallon of unleaded gasoline is $3.34.

Around 4.7 million people are expected to fly over Thanksgiving, up 6.6 percent from last year. That would be the highest number of Thanksgiving air travelers since 2005.

The Thanksgiving holiday period is defined as the five-day period from Wednesday, November 22 to Sunday, November 26.

For more information, visit https://newsroom.aaa.com/2023/11/aaa-thanksgiving-holiday-travel-period-forecast/.