PHOENIX – AAA projects 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday period from Tuesday, November 25 to Monday, December 1. This year’s domestic travel forecast includes an additional 1.6 million travelers compared to last Thanksgiving, setting a new overall record. Some of those travelers may switch their mode of transportation as the holiday approaches, if flight reductions remain a concern.
“Thanksgiving is the single busiest travel holiday of the year,” said Julian Paredes, spokesperson for AAA Mountain West Group. “Whether it’s visiting extended family or meeting up with friends, people are willing to brave the crowds and make last-minute adjustments to their plans to make lifelong memories.”
Thanksgiving Travelers by Mode of Transportation
By Car: AAA projects at least 73 million people will travel by car, that’s nearly 90 percent of Thanksgiving travelers. That figure could end up being higher if air travelers whose flights are cancelled, or people who want to avoid airports, decide to drive. This year, AAA projects an additional 1.3 million travelers on the road compared to last Thanksgiving but given recent flight reductions that number could be higher.
At the pump, drivers are paying about the same as last year, when the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.06 on Thanksgiving Day. In Arizona, gasoline prices are up 20 cents since last year, to an average of $3.36 per gallon of regular gasoline.
Last Thanksgiving holiday period, nationally AAA responded to nearly 600,000 emergency roadside assistance calls to help stranded drivers with issues like dead batteries, flat tires, and empty fuel tanks.
Safety first; ensure vehicles are roadtrip ready
* Gas Up! Fill up your gas tank the night before and eliminate one piece of unnecessary morning-of stress.
* Ensure your vehicle is road ready. Check your battery, tire pressure and window wipers. Receive a vehicle inspection at a trusted auto repair center for a vehicle before hitting the road to avoid a breakdown.
* If you drink, do not drive. Have a plan in place before Thanksgiving, and use a rideshare, designate a sober driver, or take public transit to ensure everyone’s safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from 2019 to 2023, the death toll in drunk-driving crashes during Thanksgiving festivities was 868 (more than one-third (35%) of all fatalities in traffic crashes during that holiday period.)
* Be a courteous driver. Remember to Slow Down, Move Over for emergency responders and other stopped vehicles on the roadside so everyone gets home safe.
By Air: According to AAA, 6 million U.S. travelers are expected to take domestic flights over the Thanksgiving holiday period, a 2% increase compared to 2024. Given recent flight reductions, that number could end up being lower as flights get cancelled or travelers make other plans. The number of Thanksgiving air travelers over the past several years – with the exception of 2020 – has been between 5 and 6 million.
By Other Modes: Travel by other modes is expected to increase by 8.5% to nearly 2.5 million people. Those travelers are taking trips by bus, train, and cruise ship. Buses and trains could see an uptick in last-minute bookings this year.
Building on its record post-pandemic growth. AAA forecasts U.S. cruise passengers will reach 20.7 million this year and a new record of 21.7 million in 2026. Cruises are appealing during Thanksgiving, especially to the Caribbean, because the weather is mild, all-inclusive, and easily entertain multigenerational families.
