AAA: Thanksgiving Travel Expected to Be One of the Busiest in Recent Memory

Hitting the road this week?

Shutterstock photo.

(Washington, DC) – Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.

According to AAA, approximately 54.6 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving (November 23-27).

That’s a 1.5 percent increase from 2021 and 98 percent of pre-pandemic volumes.

This week is projected to be the third busiest for Thanksgiving travel since AAA started tracking in 2000.

Nearly 49 million are expected to travel by vehicle this week, while around 4.5 million will fly to their Thanksgiving destinations.

“Families and friends are eager to spend time together this Thanksgiving, one of the busiest for travel in the past two decades,” says Paula Twidale, AAA’s Senior Vice President of Travel. “Plan ahead and pack your patience, whether you’re driving or flying.”

To avoid the most hectic times, INRIX recommends traveling early in the morning on Wednesday and before 11:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day and avoiding travel between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, visit https://newsroom.aaa.com/2022/11/thanksgiving-travel-ticks-up-just-shy-of-pre-pandemic-levels/.

More from Local News

Events

UPDATE: NWS Issues Winter Storm Watch for Tri-State Area

Several inches of snow is expected Saturday into late Sunday.

Senate Republicans Champion No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime

The proposal is heading to the full Senate for further consideration.

Local Sports Report - January 20, 2026

Report missing stats and scores to news@eaglecountryonline.com

Shawe's Barron Breaks Scoring Record, Named ORVC Player of the Week

Milan's Gabe Riehle also earned recognition.

On Air

Chelsie playing
Randy Travis - 1982

Blake Shelton Happy Anywhere 9:10
Mark Chesnutt Bubba Shot The Jukebox 9:07
Gary Allan Every Storn Runs Out of Rain 9:03
Fox News Fox News National Newscast 9:02