AAA: More than 1.9 million Tennesseans expected to travel for Thanksgiving

AAA projects that 1.9 million Tennesseans will travel 50 miles or more during the Thanksgiving holiday period, which runs from Tuesday, Nov. 25 through Monday, Dec. 1. The forecast marks a 1.9% increase from last year and sets a new state record for Thanksgiving travel. Nationally, AAA expects 81.8 million Americans to travel, an increase of 1.6 million from 2024. Thanksgiving remains the busiest travel holiday of the year. AAA estimates that 1.86 million Tennesseans will travel by car, 51,445 by air and more than 22,000 by bus, train or cruise. The organization notes that concerns about flight cancellations may lead even more residents to choose driving. Nearly 73 million Americans are expected to travel by car this Thanksgiving, representing close to 90% of all holiday travelers. Hertz reports that Wednesday will be the busiest day for rental car pick-ups, and domestic rental rates are 15% lower than last year. Gas prices are expected to be similar to last Thanksgiving, when the national average was $3.06 per gallon. AAA urges motorists to check their battery, tires and fuel level before traveling; last year the organization responded to nearly 600,000 roadside calls during the holiday weekend. AAA and Mothers Against Drunk Driving are reminding travelers to avoid impaired driving. Between 2019 and 2023, 868 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period, accounting for 35% of traffic fatalities. More than 6 million Americans are expected to fly this Thanksgiving, a 2% increase from last year. In Tennessee, more than 51,000 residents are expected to travel by air. AAA notes that recent flight reductions and potential cancellations may impact final numbers and encourages travelers to plan for flexibility by considering less busy travel days and early-morning departures. Travel by bus, train and cruise is also expected to rise, with nearly 2.5 million Americans choosing those modes. More than 22,000 Tennesseans are included in that group. Cruise travel continues to grow, with Thanksgiving sailings to the Caribbean remaining popular. AAA booking data shows that Florida destinations lead domestic travel demand, with Orlando at the top of the list. Internationally, travelers are favoring Europe, the Caribbean and Australia. Traffic experts anticipate the heaviest congestion on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons leading up to Thanksgiving, with heavy return traffic throughout Sunday. AAA recommends leaving early and preparing for delays due to construction, crashes or weather.