What to expect from 2025 Thanksgiving travel

Key Concepts Thanksgiving Travel, Record-Breaking Holiday Season, AAA Travel Forecast, TSA Screening, Air Travel Delays, Traffic Congestion, Government Shutdown Impact, Peak Travel Days, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

Overall Travel Forecast: A Record-Breaking Thanksgiving Season The period leading up to and following Thanksgiving is projected to be a record-breaking holiday travel season. AAA forecasts that 81.8 million Americans are expected to travel, marking the highest number ever recorded for this holiday.

Dominant Travel Mode: Road Travel The vast majority of travelers will opt for driving. AAA specifically anticipates that 73 million people will travel by car this year. This figure accounts for nearly 90% of all Thanksgiving travelers and represents an increase of more than 1 million people compared to the same period last year.

Air Travel Expectations and Current Observations While nationwide expectations point to long lines and potential delays for air travelers, CBS News reporter Katie Weiss observed surprisingly light conditions at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on the eve of Thanksgiving. She noted that the TSA line was "pretty much non-existent," allowing people to get through screening quickly.

However, this local observation contrasts with broader trends. Many individuals have been deterred from air travel due to the significant number of canceled flights experienced during the recent government shutdown. This deterrence has led people to seek alternative modes of transportation, including trains, buses, cruises, and personal vehicles.

Regarding screening volume, the TSA expects to screen nearly 18 million people throughout the entire week.

Busiest Travel Days and Congestion Management Specific days are identified as peak travel times, particularly for those returning home:

• Air Travel: Sunday is projected to be the busiest air travel day of the week, with more than 3 million people expected to be screened by the TSA on that day alone. Monday is anticipated to be the second busiest day for airline travel, according to an airline nonprofit group that tracks such data.
• Highway Travel: Sunday will also be the busiest day on the highways. To mitigate traffic congestion, drivers are advised to consider leaving either earlier in the morning or later in the evening on Sunday to ensure a smoother return journey.

Conclusion This Thanksgiving holiday season is set to be unprecedented in terms of traveler volume, with a significant preference for road travel, accounting for nearly 90% of all journeys. While local airport experiences may vary, nationwide air travel is expected to be busy, partly due to a shift away from flying following past government shutdown-related cancellations. Travelers, especially those returning home on Sunday, should prepare for peak congestion on both highways and at airports, with strategic timing recommended for drivers to avoid delays.