Traveling for Thanksgiving 2023? Here’s what to avoid while flying or driving – and how to save time and money

Millions of Americans will travel this year to celebrate Thanksgiving with their friends and family.

But more than 55 million Americans are expected to take action during the holiday season AAAit’s worth avoiding the busiest travel periods or transport hubs if possible.

AAA predicts that 55.4 million travelers will travel 50 miles or more from home for Thanksgiving this year – a 2.3 percent increase from last year and the third highest forecast since 2000.

Most Thanksgiving travelers will drive to their destinations, the organization predicts, with 49.1 million drivers expected to get behind the wheel.

About 4.7 million people will fly during the holiday, the highest number of Thanksgiving air travelers since 2005, and 1.55 million travelers will reach their destinations by cruise, bus and train.

According to AAA, the busiest and most expensive times to fly are the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving – this year those are November 21 and 22.

After the holidays, most Americans will travel back home on Sunday, November 26 or Monday, November 27, so it’s worth preparing for big airport crowds and leaving plenty of time for flights, the organization warns.

The most popular domestic destinations are New York, Las Vegas, Orlando and Miami, says Laura Lindsay, global travel trends expert at Skyscanner. USA today.

This means travelers can expect major airports like Los Angeles International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport to be congested, as well as major layovers like Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

If you must fly on the busy days of the holiday weekend, Lindsay recommends booking a flight earlier in the day.

Flights operate throughout the day, so the chance of disruption increases the later it gets, she told the outlet.

If you have flexibility, she suggests traveling to a smaller, nearby airport, such as Long Beach Airport instead of Los Angeles International Airport.

“It can be cheaper and more convenient,” she said.

After the holidays, most Americans will travel back home on Sunday, November 26 or Monday, November 27, so it’s worth preparing for big airport crowds on those days

Transportation software company INRIX expects Wednesday, November 22, to be the busiest day on the road during the Thanksgiving travel period – with average travel times as much as 80 percent higher than normal in some metropolitan areas.

The organization recommends leaving in the morning or after 6 p.m. to avoid the biggest holiday traffic jams.

“The day before Thanksgiving is notoriously one of the busiest days on our roads,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX.

‘Knowing when and where traffic congestion occurs can help minimize holiday traffic frustrations. We recommend that drivers use traffic apps, local DOT notifications and 511 services for real-time updates.”