Those planning to travel for Thanksgiving this week should expect a crowd as a record number are predicted to be on the move from Tuesday through next Monday, travel experts said.
Molly Hart, a spokesperson for the AAA Motor Club in Illinois and Indiana, said there will be record numbers traveling “both nationally and here in Illinois.”
“The big crowds are coming. Thanksgiving is always a popular holiday and people want to spend time with their friends and loved ones and that’s not a surprise,” Hart said. “Part of it could be that people do have the ability to work remotely and it gives them a little more affordability and they can leave early before the busiest days on the road which include Tuesday, Nov. 25, and also Wednesday.”
Hart said that flexibility might also allow travelers to return the Monday after Thanksgiving – Dec. 1 – rather than on Sunday which, predictably, will also be a busy day for traveling.
According to a press release from AAA, “over 4.1 million Illinoisans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving holiday period, which runs from Tuesday, Nov. 25, to Monday, Dec. 1. This marks a 1.8% increase over last year and sets a new record for Thanksgiving travel in Illinois.”
Nationwide, the travel group said just under 82 million people are expected to travel this year for Thanksgiving, an increase of 1.6 million travelers compared to 2024, adding that, “Thanksgiving remains the busiest travel holiday of the year, surpassing both Memorial Day and Independence Day.”
Hart said that in Illinois, according to predictions, nearly 3.7 million will travel by car, “the most popular mode of transportation for Thanksgiving.”
“That’s a 1.5% increase, and 360,666 are going by air, a 3.3% increase from a year ago,” she said.
Beyond those traveling by car, Hart said that an interesting development this year is that people in the state traveling using “the other modes – bus, train, cruises – are estimated to be 128,455 – an 8.4% increase here in Illinois for this holiday.”
“There are a couple ways we can look at that,” she said. “Number one, there was uncertainly earlier this month whether or not people could catch their flights due to delays or cancelations so some opted to drive. Amtrak numbers are up this year and cruises are really popular this season and people are looking to take multi-generational trips.”
Hart said the recent end of the federal government shutdown likely is affecting car travel “which seemed more dependable than air travel during the government’s closing.”
“There is also the issue where some people thought they couldn’t get away and some seats opened on planes because people chose to drive instead,” she said.
While consumer costs are up, Hart said people are pressing on “with many hosting dinners at home as opposed to going out and spending a lot of money.”
“It’s about being together,” she said. “People prioritize family and friends and being with one another.”
Gas prices are basically the same as a year ago with a national average of $3.06 a gallon.
Hart advises that motorists get their cars serviced before traveling.
The busiest travel times coming up will be Tuesday from noon until 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., she said.
“Just get up and go. Minimize the traffic you’re going to hit,” Hart said. “Sunday (Nov. 30) it’s going to be busy all day but especially again at 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. and again on Monday (Dec. 1) from noon until 8 p.m. will be the worst time to travel.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
