AAA Predicts Record 2025 Thanksgiving Travel, Up 2% on Yr

SECAUCUS, NJ (DTN) – AAA projects 81.8 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home for this year’s Thanksgiving, a 2% increase from last year’s 80.2 million and a record for the occasion since AAA began tracking holiday travel in 2000.

The vast majority of the travelers will drive, with AAA projecting 73 million people will get behind the wheel – nearly 90% of all travelers – representing an additional 1.3 million people on the road compared to last Thanksgiving, AAA said in the travel outlook published Monday (11/24).

“That number could end up being higher if some air travelers decide to drive instead of fly following recent flight cancellations,” AAA added.

Drivers will be paying about the same for gasoline this Thanksgiving as in 2024, when the national average was $3.06 per gallon. Car rental demand is highest in Orlando, Atlanta, and Las Vegas, though domestic car rentals are 15% cheaper this year.

AAA also expects 6 million people to fly over the holiday; a 2% increase compared to 2024. A roundtrip domestic flight is averaging around $700, similar to last year. Sunday and Monday are expected to be the busiest and most expensive return days for air travel.

Travel by bus, train, and cruise is seen up by 8.5% to nearly 2.5 million travelers. The cruise industry, in particular, continues its record post-pandemic growth, with cruising to the Caribbean being especially appealing.