AAA predicts a new overall record for Thanksgiving travel this year, with a projected 81.8 million people expected to travel over 50 miles from home during the holiday period, according to a press release. The forecast has 1.6 million more predicted travelers than last year’s.
“Thanksgiving travel numbers are always impressive because this holiday has become synonymous with heading out of town to spend time with loved ones,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “People are willing to brave the crowds and make last-minute adjustments to their plans to make lifelong memories, whether it’s visiting extended family or meeting up with friends.”
Of those traveling for the holiday, AAA projects that nearly 90% (at least 73 million people) will travel by car—1.3 million more people on the road compared to last year. AAA noted that the number may be even higher following the recent flight cancellations, even with the FAA ending all restrictions on commercial flights implemented due to the government shutdown.
Six million U.S. travelers are expected to take domestic flights over the Thanksgiving holiday period, a 2% increase compared to 2024.
Ahead of the holiday season, retailers including Weigel’s, Royal Farms and 7-Eleven are offering new products, deals and promotions for Thanksgiving and other holidays.
Get your store ready for roadtrippers with tips from retailers located along key travel routes by reading “Worth the Road Trip!” in the May 2025 issue of NACS Magazine.