This Thanksgiving, are you planning a trip? Stay out of the jam. When to drive and when to remain home are revealed by AAA’s prediction!#Thanksgiving #Travel #Lifestyle
Minnesota’s St. PaulThanksgiving is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, but it’s also a time for family, food, and travel. You might want to reevaluate your travel schedule if you intend to drive during the holidays in order to avoid spending hours stuck in traffic. Understanding the best and worst times to travel could significantly reduce the amount of stress you experience traveling to your destination, as the American Automobile Association (AAA) expects a record-breaking number of people to be on the road this year.
Record-Breaking Travel Predictions for Thanksgiving 2024
This Thanksgiving, an incredible 71.7 million people are anticipated to drive, according to AAA’s annual forecast. This exceeds even pre-pandemic numbers and is a 1.3 million increase from 2023.
The lowest national average gas price since 2021 may be the reason for the increase in travel since it gives families a little more financial flexibility and lets them go on vacation without worrying about petrol prices.
In addition to road travel, aviation travel is anticipated to increase significantly. According to AAA, there will be 11% more flights this Thanksgiving than in 2019 and 2% more than in 2023. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that travel will be in full force whether you’re driving or flying.
AAA s Forecast: The Best and Worst Times to Drive
The Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving as well as the Monday after the holiday are now included in AAA’s traffic forecast for this year. Since these improvements are based on changing travel patterns, you might be able to avoid the worst traffic if you can change the time you leave.
Here’s a summary of when you should schedule your travel time and when you should avoid it:
As you can see, the afternoons and early evenings before and after Thanksgiving are usually the worst times to be traveling. It’s evident that, if you can accomplish it, traveling early in the morning is frequently the most tranquil choice.
Peak Traffic Areas to Watch
Where to travel is just as important as when. Traffic congestion will be significantly worse than usual in several metropolitan regions. For example, traffic on the Long Island Expressway in New York is expected to climb by 133% on Tuesday afternoon. On Saturday afternoon, there will be a 38% increase in traffic on I-15 Sin San Diego on the West Coast. During peak hours, traffic in major cities like Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., can quadruple, making travel through these places very difficult.
To prevent the worst delays, it can be worthwhile to look into alternate routes or factor in additional travel time if your trip requires passing through one of these busy places.
Planning to Rent a Car? Expect Delays
Be ready for some delays if you are hiring a car for your Thanksgiving vacation. Long waits are anticipated at most rental outlets on Wednesday, which is the busiest day for automobile rental check-ins, according to AAA. As people head home on Monday and Tuesday following the holiday, you should anticipate crowded return desks.
Travel Smarter, Not Harder
Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family and friends, but traveling at one of the most crowded travel times of the year may make a fun trip into a stressful one. You may make your trip to Grandma’s house or your weekend break a little bit easier by scheduling your drive times around the worst congestion windows and knowing where to expect the worst traffic.
Additionally, you will need to be a little more patient when picking up or returning your rental automobile. I hope your vacation is full of delicious food, family, and little road rage. Safe travels!
RELATED TOPICS: Travel Advice | Thanksgiving
We appreciate your input!Was this article thought-provoking, inspirational, or educational to you? Join the conversation by leaving a comment below. We value your feedback and eagerly await your response!
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
