According to AAA, an estimated 79.9 million travelers will journey 50 miles or more from their homes during the Thanksgiving holiday. This year, for the first time, AAA has included the Tuesday before and the Monday after Thanksgiving Day in its forecast to better reflect the full extent of holiday travel. The current estimate of nearly 80 million travelers marks an increase of 1.7 million compared to last year, and it’s an additional 2 million travelers from 2019.
“Thanksgiving is the peak holiday for travel, and this year we anticipate setting new records in all categories—driving, flying, and cruising,” stated Stacey Barber, VP of AAA Travel. “Thanksgiving is a time when families and friends come together, and traveling plays a significant role in that experience. Following the pandemic, travel demand continues to rise, with our members eager for new adventures and memorable experiences.”
Travel Modes During Thanksgiving
By car: AAA forecasts that a record-breaking 71.7 million people will hit the roads this Thanksgiving, reflecting an increase of 1.3 million compared to last year. This figure also exceeds pre-pandemic levels, where 70.6 million people traveled by car during Thanksgiving in 2019.
This Thanksgiving season, gas prices are expected to be lower compared to 2023. Last year, the national average was $3.26 on Thanksgiving Day. With falling oil prices this autumn, it’s possible that the national average will dip below $3 per gallon for the first time since 2021, potentially occurring before the holiday travels begin. Drivers in regions east of the Rockies can expect prices ranging from $2.25 to $2.50 per gallon in several states.
According to AAA’s car rental partner, Hertz, cities such as Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oahu, Orlando, and Phoenix are seeing the highest demand for rental cars this Thanksgiving. The busiest day for car pick-up is projected to be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, while the peak return days will likely be the Monday and Tuesday following the holiday.
By air: Air travel during Thanksgiving is also expected to reach new heights. AAA estimates that 5.84 million people will fly domestically, representing a 2% increase from last year and nearly an 11% rise from 2019. AAA’s booking data shows that airfares are up 3% this year for domestic flights, yet the volume of bookings remains consistent with last year’s figures. International flight bookings have surged by 23% compared to last Thanksgiving, partly due to a 5% decrease in costs for international flights.
By other means: Approximately 2.3 million individuals are anticipated to utilize alternative modes of transport, such as buses, cruises, and trains. This segment has seen an almost 9% increase from last year and an 18% uptick from 2019, largely fueled by the growing popularity of cruises. Domestic and international cruise bookings are up by 20% when compared to last Thanksgiving.
Top Thanksgiving Destinations According to AAA
The top ten domestic destinations prominently feature warm weather spots. Four cities in Florida make the list, attracting visitors with their beaches, theme parks, and cruise ports. Other leading destinations include New York, California, Hawaii, and Las Vegas. Internationally, Europe and the Caribbean are favorites due to their beach resorts, tourist attractions, and river cruises. The rankings for holiday travel locations are based on AAA booking data from Tuesday, Nov. 26, to Monday, Dec. 2.
This report on AAA’s travel forecast for Thanksgiving was originally published on hotelbusiness.com.
