If you thought last year’s Thanksgiving travel was chaotic enough to qualify as an Olympic sport, buckle up, literally. AAA projects that 81.8 million people in the United States will travel at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday, Nov. 25, and Monday, Dec. 1. That’s 1.6 million more travelers than last Thanksgiving and a brand-new record for the holiday that is already the reigning heavyweight champion of travel demand.
Yes, Thanksgiving is once again expected to outdo summer holidays like Memorial Day and July 4, according to AAA’s research, proving that nothing motivates Americans quite like turkey, pie and the gentle family interrogation of “So, are you still single?”
Driving Still Rules Thanksgiving, For Better or Worse
Of course, the vast majority of travelers will be on the road. AAA expects 73 million people to travel by car, nearly 90 percent of all Thanksgiving travelers, and about 1.3 million more drivers than last year. That number could go even higher if air travelers decide to ditch the airport security lines and flight delays and simply drive.
For anyone renting a car, Hertz says Wednesday will be the most in-demand day for vehicle pick-ups. The top five markets for Thanksgiving car rentals should surprise no one, Orlando, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Newark. In news that may briefly make your wallet feel seen and appreciated, AAA reports domestic car rentals are 15 percent cheaper this Thanksgiving than they were last year.
And here’s a rare bit of holiday cheer, gas prices are roughly the same as last Thanksgiving, when the national average for regular hit $3.06 per gallon on the holiday. While AAA isn’t promising a stress-free drive, filling your tank the night before is highly encouraged. It’s one less thing to do on Thanksgiving morning when you’re already trying to remember where you hid the travel-size deodorant.
AAA also suggests checking your battery and tire pressure before departure. That’s not just a polite reminder, last Thanksgiving, AAA responded to nearly 600,000 roadside assistance calls, most involving dead batteries, flat tires and drivers who tragically discovered the fuel gauge does in fact go lower than “empty.”
There’s also the more serious side of holiday travel. AAA and Mothers Against Drunk Driving are reminding everyone that the Thanksgiving period is one of the most dangerous times of year on the roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from 2019 to 2023 there were 868 deaths in drunk-driving crashes during Thanksgiving festivities, representing 35 percent of all traffic fatalities in that period. Travelers are encouraged to plan ahead, designate a sober driver, use rideshare or take public transit, basically, do anything except add another tragic statistic to next year’s safety report.
Six Million People Will Take to the Skies, Give or Take
For the estimated 6 million air travelers flying domestically this Thanksgiving, the experience may be an exercise in patience, strategic airport snack purchases and creative use of neck pillows. AAA projects air travel will be up 2 percent from last year. Thanksgiving flight volumes have hovered between 5 and 6 million for years, except during the pandemic moment we shall not name.
However, this year’s numbers could shift. With recent flight cancellations shaking traveler confidence, some flyers may swap boarding passes for road trips. But for now, airlines should still expect crowds worthy of a Black Friday doorbuster.
AAA reports average roundtrip domestic airfare for Thanksgiving sits around $700, similar to last year. Flying on Thanksgiving Day remains the cheapest option, if you’re willing to accept cranberry sauce as your emotional support condiment. The real price hike happens on the return, Sunday and Monday are the busiest travel days, so many passengers are shortening or stretching trips to dodge the rush.
Buses, Trains and Cruises Are Having Their Moment
Travel by “other modes,” that is, buses, trains and cruises, is expected to grow 8.5 percent, reaching nearly 2.5 million travelers. Bus and train operators may see a wave of last-minute bookings this year as Thanksgiving travelers pivot from air or road plans with all the grace of someone rechecking their suitcase for the 11th time.
But cruises are the real breakout star. AAA says cruising is continuing its record-setting post-pandemic comeback. For 2025, AAA projects 20.7 million American cruise passengers, with an even higher 21.7 million forecast for 2026. Thanksgiving cruises, particularly those sailing to the Caribbean, are trending hard. They offer mild weather, all-inclusive convenience and the dream scenario of a fully entertained multigenerational family, where kids, grandparents and everyone in between have something to do that doesn’t involve arguing about politics or overcooking the turkey.
Also, watching the ocean pass by from the deck of a ship is objectively less stressful than watching your aunt battle the gravy lumps.
Where Thanksgiving 2025 Travelers Are Headed
Based on AAA booking data and research, Florida remains the reigning queen of domestic Thanksgiving destinations. The Sunshine State’s theme parks and cruise ports are irresistible this time of year, partly because nothing says “holiday spirit” like waiting 90 minutes to ride a roller coaster shaped like a cartoon mouse.
Internationally, travelers are flocking to a mix of Europe, the Caribbean and Australia, where November brings warm spring weather and fewer pumpkin-spice-flavored temptations.
AAA didn’t list specific cities in its top destinations here, but the pattern is clear, warm weather, easy entertainment and a high likelihood of forgetting to check work email seem to be the recipe for a happy holiday.
What Travelers Should Expect
Between record-high car counts, steady flight volumes and a surge in cruise demand, Thanksgiving 2025 is shaping up to be crowded, lively and deeply on-brand for a holiday fueled by big meals and bigger family gatherings.
Travelers should expect:
- Highways packed with millions of drivers pretending they didn’t see that “left lane ends” sign,
- Airports bustling, especially Sunday and Monday, as everyone realizes too late that they should’ve extended their trip by one more day,
- Cruise ships selling out, filled with families who finally admitted they were too tired to cook,
- Bus and train stations busy with travelers making last-minute swaps after monitoring flight cancellation trends with the intensity of sports fans watching overtime.
Despite the chaos, millions of Americans will still make the trip, because Thanksgiving, in all its gravy-covered glory, remains the one holiday people are determined not to spend alone.
And if you’re one of the 81.8 million hitting the road, skies or seas this year, AAA has a simple message, prepare early, travel smart and for the love of cranberry chutney, check your tire pressure.