Nearly 82 million Americans estimated to travel over Thanksgiving holiday
Nov 24, 2025, 7:07 AM
Nearly 82 million Americans are expected to travel during the 2025 Thanksgiving season. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — American travelers are breaking records this month, as 81.8 million Americans are projected to travel at least 50 miles from their homes over the Thanksgiving holiday.
AAA released their latest prediction on Monday, an increase of almost 2 million travelers compared to last year’s Thanksgiving holiday.
“Thanksgiving travel numbers are always impressive because this holiday has become synonymous with heading out of town to spend time with loved ones,” said Vice President of AAA Travel Stacey Barber. “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.”
The majority of these travelers will likely be traveling by car. AAA estimates at least 73 million Americans will travel by car, up by 1.3 million from last year.
Drivers preparing to travel should make sure to check their batteries, tire pressure and window wipers before leaving on their adventures.
AAA also suggests filling up the gas tank the night before the big trip to eliminate part of the travel day stress.
According to AAA, those who choose to drink during the holiday season should be certain to find a designated driver to avoid tickets or crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warned that 34 Americans die every day due to drunk-driving crashes.
Other modes of transportation, including flights, public transportation and cruises are also expected to see higher levels of American travelers during the holiday season.
