Traffic on Thanksgiving Day: Best and Worst Travel Times

by Ellie Smith / October 25, 2024
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Traffic on Thanksgiving Day is a travel challenge. Find out the best and worst times to hit the road for a smoother holiday journey.

Close-up family members at dinner
With some thoughtful planning and adopting practical strategies, you can ensure that the holiday season remains a time of joy. Image Credit: Freepik

Thanksgiving week is known for being one of the busiest travel times in the U.S., with millions taking to the skies and roads. However, with careful planning, your Thanksgiving journey doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By choosing the right days to fly, you can significantly reduce stress, avoid the worst crowds, and even find better deals on airfare. Below are the best and worst times to travel during Thanksgiving week to help you make the most of your holiday plans.

Table of Contents

When is Thanksgiving 2024?

Thanksgiving takes place this year on Thursday, November 28, 2024. The holiday is celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday of November, a tradition that dates back to 1941 when the U.S. Congress established the fixed date. It’s a time when families and friends gather to give thanks, often marked by feasting, parades, and football games.

Busiest Travel Days for Thanksgiving 2024

Planning your Thanksgiving trip around peak travel times can help you avoid the worst congestion. Here’s a breakdown of the busiest travel days this year:

  • Wednesday Before Thanksgiving (Nov. 27): As usual, the day before Thanksgiving remains the busiest travel day. Road traffic is expected to spike in the late afternoon and evening, with travel times in some major metro areas potentially increasing by as much as 80%.
  • Sunday After Thanksgiving (Dec. 1): This day consistently ranks as the busiest for return travel, with airport passenger numbers expected to exceed previous records. 

Best and Worst Times to Travel by car for Thanksgiving 2024

The best and worst times to travel by car for Thanksgiving 2024 depend on several factors, including your specific route, the time of day, and the day of the week. Here are some general trends and patterns observed in past Thanksgiving travel.

Best Times to Travel:

  • Thanksgiving Day Evening: Many people stay home for Thanksgiving dinner, so the roads may be less congested in the evening.
  • Friday (After Thanksgiving) Before 11 A.M. and after 8 P.M.:While Friday is generally a busy travel day due to Black Friday shopping, you can avoid the worst of the traffic by traveling early in the morning or late in the evening.

Worst Times to Travel:

  • Wednesday (Before Thanksgiving) Afternoon: This is typically the busiest time to travel, as many people are leaving work early to start their Thanksgiving weekend.
  • Thanksgiving Day Between 11 A.M. and 3 P.M.: This is the peak time for Thanksgiving travel, as people are traveling to their destinations for dinner.
  • Friday (After Thanksgiving) Between Noon and 4 P.M.: This is the peak time for Black Friday shopping, so you can expect heavy traffic in major cities.

Best and Worst Days to Fly for Thanksgiving 2024

Analyzing TSA checkpoint data from recent years reveals clear trends regarding the busiest and quietest travel days around Thanksgiving.

  • Busiest Day: The busiest travel days will be Sunday after Thanksgiving, as well as Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving. In 2023, the Sunday after Thanksgiving saw over 2.9 million travelers pass through U.S. airport security checkpoints. In contrast, Thanksgiving Day itself had approximately 1.5 million travelers, which is just over half the number recorded on Sunday.
  • Least Crowded Day: Thanksgiving Day itself is the quietest day for air travel. Flying on the morning of Thanksgiving can be a good option for those looking to avoid the crowds and save on airfare.

Best Days to Fly Before Thanksgiving

  • Saturday before Thanksgiving: The least crowded pre-holiday travel day.
  • Monday before Thanksgiving: Offers a quieter alternative to the peak days.
  • Thursday before Thanksgiving: While not the quietest, it’s less congested than the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Best Days to Fly After Thanksgiving

  • Wednesday after Thanksgiving: The calmest travel day post-holiday.
  • Tuesday after Thanksgiving: A quiet time to return home without the typical crowds.
  • Black Friday: Although busier than the days listed above, it’s still less hectic than the peak return days.

Air Travel Tips for Thanksgiving 2024

  • Be Flexible with Travel Dates for the Best Deals: For domestic Thanksgiving trips, adjusting your travel dates can help you score better prices. Flying out the week before Thanksgiving or on Monday, November 25, can lead to significant savings. For example, departing on Thursday, November 21, or the Monday before the holiday can save you around 23%, or roughly $60 per ticket, compared to flying during the weekend.
  • Avoid the Sunday After Thanksgiving: The Sunday following Thanksgiving is the busiest and priciest day to travel back, with ticket prices about 45% higher than average. Instead of facing crowded airports and paying an extra $137 per ticket, consider returning on Black Friday or Monday, December 2, to enjoy lower fares and fewer crowds.
  • Better Timing for International Flights: For international Thanksgiving trips, leaving closer to the holiday can save you money. Starting your journey during Thanksgiving week, rather than the weekend before, can help you save about 20%, or $183 per ticket. To maximize savings, consider flying back after the holiday rush; December 1 is the most expensive day to return, while the following week offers more affordable options.

Road Travel Tips for Thanksgiving 2024

For those driving to their destinations, here are some tips to avoid heavy traffic and make the trip more enjoyable:

  • Be Patient: First things first, expect traffic, so take your time. Avoid aggressive driving like speeding or tailgating. Keep a safe distance from the car in front, and always signal when changing lanes or turning. Remember, you’re on your way to celebrate with loved ones; enjoy the ride.
  • Plan Around Peak Congestion: Major metro areas like Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York will see severe congestion. INRIX advises avoiding driving during late afternoon and evening hours and suggests routes with fewer delays.
  • Consider Off-Peak Times: Start your journey early in the morning or after 7 PM to miss the heaviest traffic. Using navigation apps like Waze or Google Maps can help find the best routes based on real-time traffic conditions.
  • Prepare Your Vehicle: Make sure your car is ready for the journey. Check your windshield wiper fluid and tire pressure. Carry an emergency kit in case you need roadside help, including essentials like jumper cables, a flashlight, and basic tools. It’s good to be prepared for the unexpected.

Staying Safe on Thanksgiving Eve (Blackout Wednesday)

Thanksgiving Eve, also known as “Blackout Wednesday,” is notorious for being one of the most dangerous nights for drunk driving in the United States.

The night before Thanksgiving is filled with festivities as people reunite with friends and family. Unfortunately, this often leads to excessive drinking, making it one of the top nights for alcohol-related incidents. In fact, according to some sources, Thanksgiving Eve surpasses even New Year’s Eve as the worst night of the year for drunk driving. If you’re planning to partake in the festivities and anticipate enjoying some drinks, it’s essential to plan ahead and prioritize safety.

One way to do this is by securing the services of a professional chauffeur, ensuring the safety of everyone involved. Leave the transportation to Blacklane, your trusted partner for hassle-free and smooth travel experiences. With our chauffeured services, you can enjoy the convenience of immediate booking, arriving in style, and traveling in comfort, all while relying on our top-quality service.

The Best Way to Deal with Traffic on Thanksgiving Day

We’ve shared some useful planning tips on dealing with traffic on Thanksgiving Day. Now, as we save our best advice for last, remember that for a truly stress-free Thanksgiving journey,  you can count on Blacklane. By booking your chauffeured ride with us, you’re choosing the most convenient way to reach your destination, saving you time and hassle.

A female chauffeur and a woman standing next to black SUV
By booking your ride with Blacklane, you’re opting for a seamless and comfortable journey to your destination. Image Credit: Blacklane

With our top-tier sedans as well as larger SUVs or Vans for larger families, there’s an option for everyone, and you can feel good about your footprint since all our rides are carbon offset. Just choose the best time for you, and leave the driving to the professionals. Plus, if your plans change you can easily change your booking or cancel for free up until 1 hour before any city to city ride. It’s worth mentioning that our city-to-city service offers premium chauffeur-driven rides between metropolitan areas and is a compelling alternative to short-haul flights.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ellie Smith
Ellie is an avid traveler, writer, and adventurer, with a passion for exploring the world and sharing her experiences through storytelling. Working for global chauffeur company Blacklane and having lived in cities like Dubai and Berlin, she has gained valuable first-hand experience in uncovering hidden gems worldwide.