by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:50 AM ET, Mon November 13, 2023
AAA projects that 55.4 million Americans will travel 50
miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday 2023.
This year’s Thanksgiving travel forecast predicts an
increase of 2.3 percent over last year and marks the third-highest fall holiday
forecast since AAA began tracking in 2000.
Americans Hitting the Busy Roads
Travelers from the United States are most likely to drive to
their destination, with 49.1 million people getting behind the wheel, an
increase of 1.7 percent compared to 2022. Thankfully, average gasoline prices
are down, making the cost of travel cheaper.
Transportation data provider INRIX revealed that Wednesday,
November 22, would be the busiest day on the roads. For those renting a vehicle
for the holiday, the average price for a domestic reservation is $590, down 20
percent, while the average international reservation is $696, up nine percent.
“For many Americans, Thanksgiving and travel go hand in
hand, and this holiday, we expect more people on the roads, skies, and seas
compared to 2022,” AAA Travel Senior Vice President Paula Twidale said.
A crowded airport baggage claim area. (Photo via kyolshin / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus)
Best and Worst Times to Fly
AAA expects 4.7 million people will fly over Thanksgiving,
an increase of 6.6 percent over last year and the highest number of fall
holiday air travelers since 2005. Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving are
the busiest air travel days and the most expensive, while Sunday is typically
the most active day to return home.
Based on a NerdWallet analysis of Transportation Security
Administration checkpoint data averaged over the past four years, the most crowded
day for air travel will be the Sunday after Thanksgiving, while the least
crowded will be Thanksgiving Day itself.
Other Forms of Transportation
As for Americans traveling by cruise, bus, and train over the
holiday period, AAA expects 1.55 million people will head out of town using
these other modes of transportation, up nearly 11 percent. The average price
for a domestic cruise is $1,507, down 12 percent, while international voyages
are up 24 percent to an average of $2,902.
“Travel demand has been strong all year, and AAA’s
Thanksgiving forecast reflects that continued desire to get away and spend time
with loved ones,” Twidale continued.
This Thanksgiving season, Americans generally pay less for
domestic travel than last year and more for international vacations. The
exception is airfare, which is slightly more expensive for domestic flights (up
five percent to $681) and lower for international flights (down 5.7 percent to
$1,231).
Holiday season traffic in New York City. (photo via peeterv/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
Hotel Prices and Popular Destinations
Hotel prices have decreased compared to last year, with the
average domestic hotel stay being $598, down 12 percent. International hotel
stays average $772 this year, up five percent.
As for the most popular domestic destinations for
Thanksgiving, Americans are heading to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami,
Anaheim, Tampa, New York City, Las Vegas, Honolulu, Maui and San Diego.
International travelers favor Cancun, Mexico City, Punta Cana, Bahrain, Rome,
Montego Bay, Nassau, Bali, Paris and London.
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