Thanksgiving Pilgrimage: Holiday Travel Set to Break Records

This Thanksgiving, holiday travel is expected to break records as millions take to the skies, roads, and railways to reunite with family and friends. With a surge in travelers, airlines, and transportation services are preparing for a busy season. Travelers can expect crowded airports, long drives, and the need for advanced planning to navigate the holiday rush efficiently.

Thanksgiving travel in 2024 is projected to hit an all-time high, with nearly 80 million Americans expected to travel more than 50 miles to join in the holiday festivities. According to AAA’s forecasts, approximately 71.7 million people will be traveling by car, 5.8 million will take domestic flights, and 2.3 million will use trains or other forms of transport to reunite with family and friends. This marks a 2.1 percent increase from 2023 and a 2.7 percent increase from 2019, as the drop in gas prices compared to last year encourages more people to hit the road.

Stacey Barber, the Vice President of AAA Travel, stated, “Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year we’re expecting to set new records across the board, from driving to flying and cruising. Americans reconnect with family and friends over Thanksgiving, and travel is a big part of that.” These projections reflect the continuing trend of Thanksgiving being one of the busiest times for travel in the United States.

With transportation across all sectors seeing increases, driving will continue to be the dominant mode of travel for the holiday. An overwhelming 90 percent of travelers are expected to use their personal vehicles to reach their destinations. The affordability of gas, which remains lower than it has been in recent years, is helping fuel this travel surge. Lower fuel costs are providing a financial incentive for more people to choose road trips over other methods of travel, making driving the preferred option for families heading out for Thanksgiving.

Though road travel remains the most popular, air travel is also expected to see a noticeable uptick. While fewer people typically fly for Thanksgiving than drive, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) anticipates this year will bring the busiest Thanksgiving travel period ever. Airlines and airports are preparing for significant crowds, particularly on the Tuesday and Wednesday leading up to Thanksgiving, as well as the Sunday after the holiday when many travelers return home. Airport traffic will be especially dense during these peak days as people take advantage of the long weekend to reunite with loved ones.

The combination of fewer travel restrictions, a recovering economy, and lower travel costs is creating a perfect storm for high travel numbers this year. More people are opting to travel to spend quality time with family and friends, even if it means dealing with crowded airports or long road trips. The holidays are often one of the few times people can get away, and many are eager to take advantage of the opportunity to reconnect with their loved ones in person.

Overall, Thanksgiving travel in 2024 is shaping up to be the busiest in history, with significant increases in the number of travelers across all modes of transportation. Road trips will continue to dominate, but air travel and train journeys will also see notable growth as people seek ways to spend the holiday with those they care about. As airports and highways brace for the influx of travelers, it’s clear that Thanksgiving remains a time for family reunions and cherished traditions.

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Source: Statista‍