Thanksgiving Travel: ​​Navigating the Busiest Travel Day of the Year

Thanksgiving week is one of the most frenetic travel times of the year. If you’ve ever tried to book a flight for Thanksgiving travel, you know the chaos that ensues around the day before Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving – what’s often dubbed the busiest travel day of the year. 

Whether you’re flying out, hitting the road, or grabbing a train, here’s how to get through the holiday crowds without getting in your feelings. 

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Worst days to travel for Thanksgiving

Over 55 million people typically hit the roads and airports during Thanksgiving week. Want to dodge the gridlock? Rule number one: avoid the day before Thanksgiving — this day consistently ranks as the busiest travel day of the year. That’s because everyone’s trying to get to their destination in time for the 🦃 .

For those returning after the holiday, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is notoriously packed. If you can, try to leave on Monday instead to dodge the madness and even potentially score lower prices on Thanksgiving flights.

Best days to travel for Thanksgiving

Looking to beat the crowds? The best time to buy Thanksgiving flights is at least a month in advance, with the highest prices and largest crowds appearing during the few days before Thanksgiving.

Data from NerdWallet suggests that flying on Thanksgiving Day itself can sometimes be the smoothest option, and flights often cost less that day versus the day before.

If you’re flexible, consider flying out the Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving. This avoids the crunch of the day before Thanksgiving and might save you some cash. For those on a road trip, hitting the road early in Thanksgiving week or even the weekend before can mean less congestion. And traveling back on the Monday after Thanksgiving gives you a bit of extra post-turkey recovery time.

Recommended: 13 Tips to Host Thanksgiving on a Budget

8 Tips to prepare for Thanksgiving travel

Traveling during Thanksgiving? Here’s a cheat sheet of hacks to make sure you’re prepped.

1. Book flights or transport early 🛫

There are times in life when it’s good to play things by ear. Thanksgiving week is not one of them. Flight prices tend to skyrocket as Thanksgiving approaches, meaning the best time to buy Thanksgiving flights is, simply, as early as possible. Ideally, booking at least six weeks out can save you significantly on airfare. 

2. Pack light — just the essentials 🧳

Holiday travel is no time to overpack. Stick to the basics, especially if you’re flying, as checked bags can slow you down. Keep medications in your carry-on, just in case, and remember: less baggage means faster travel and less risk of losing stuff (including your cool).

3. Check traffic conditions and weather forecasts 🌦️

Travel apps like Waze and AccuWeather will be your BFFs. According to AAA, holiday traffic and weather patterns can mean unexpected delays, so it’s wise to check these apps ahead of time to avoid traffic snarls or stormy skies. This goes double if you’re traveling by car; holiday traffic plus unexpected weather can mean some seriously slow riding.

Learn More: 8 Best Credit Cards With Travel Insurance Coverage 

4. Arrange and confirm transportation

Holiday travel doesn’t just start when you leave your house. Be sure to arrange airport shuttles, rental cars, or public transport in advance. Set reminders for departure times and any necessary stopovers, and arrive at the airport earlier than usual.

Security lines during Thanksgiving can be longer than usual given the sheer number of travelers, so plan accordingly (and this is sooo not the day to jump on that stylishly curated TSA tray trend that’s gone viral on TikTok).

Instead, it might be helpful to sign up for TSA PreCheck or a service like Clear to help you coast through long security lines.

5. Secure your snacks (and entertainment) for the journey 🍿

You’ll thank yourself later if you have snacks and an empty water bottle ready. Bring along some treats and entertainment options. And if you’re planning on streaming, consider downloading content ahead of time from services like Hulu, Max, and ESPN+.

6. Keep important documents easily accessible 📄

Having quick access to travel documents is key, especially if there’s a last-minute boarding scramble. Keep both digital and paper copies of your boarding pass and ID, and store them in an accessible part of your carry-on.

Learn More: How to Add Travel Insurance After Booking a Flight

7. Tell family your exact flight details 📱

Keeping loved ones in the loop isn’t just polite; it’s practical. Make sure your fam knows your flight number and arrival times in case of delays or unexpected changes. Plus, it’ll give them a heads-up on when to start thawing the mashed potatoes.

8. Charge devices and download offline entertainment 🔋

There’s no worse time to have a dead phone than on a holiday travel day. Bring a fully charged portable charger and download offline entertainment ahead of time. Platforms like Hulu and Max offer downloads, so you won’t need Wi-Fi to binge-watch on the go.

Wrapping up your Thanksgiving travel game plan

With a little planning, your Thanksgiving travel can be more than manageable. If all else fails, remember these three things: Book early, pack light, and keep an eye on the forecast. And remember: if you can fly on Thanksgiving Day itself, you might just dodge the worst of the crowds. Here’s to safe travels — and seconds of stuffing.

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