According to projections from AAA, approximately 1.9 million residents of Tennessee are expected to embark on journeys of 50 miles or more during the Thanksgiving holiday period, which spans from Tuesday, November 25, to Monday, December 1. This forecast indicates a 1.9% increase compared to the previous year, establishing a new record for Thanksgiving travel within the state. On a national scale, AAA anticipates that around 81.8 million Americans will travel during this holiday, reflecting an increase of 1.6 million travelers from 2024. Thanksgiving continues to hold the title of the busiest travel holiday of the year.
The breakdown of travel methods for Tennesseans reveals that approximately 1.86 million will opt for road trips, while around 51,445 are expected to take to the skies. Additionally, more than 22,000 individuals will utilize buses, trains, or cruises for their holiday travels. Notably, concerns regarding potential flight cancellations may prompt even more residents to choose driving as their preferred mode of transportation. Nationally, nearly 73 million Americans are projected to travel by car, which accounts for nearly 90% of all holiday travelers.
In terms of rental car usage, Hertz has indicated that Wednesday is anticipated to be the peak day for rental car pick-ups. Furthermore, domestic rental rates are reported to be 15% lower than they were last year. Gas prices are expected to remain consistent with those from the previous Thanksgiving, when the national average was recorded at $3.06 per gallon. AAA is advising motorists to conduct thorough checks of their vehicle’s battery, tires, and fuel levels prior to embarking on their journeys, as the organization responded to nearly 600,000 roadside assistance calls during the holiday weekend last year.
In collaboration with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, AAA is emphasizing the importance of avoiding impaired driving. Between 2019 and 2023, there were 868 fatalities resulting from drunk-driving incidents during the Thanksgiving holiday period, which constituted 35% of all traffic-related deaths during that time frame.
Air travel is also expected to see an uptick, with more than 6 million Americans anticipated to fly this Thanksgiving, marking a 2% increase from the previous year. In Tennessee, over 51,000 residents are expected to travel by air. However, AAA has cautioned that recent reductions in flight availability and the possibility of cancellations could affect final travel numbers. Travelers are encouraged to maintain flexibility in their plans by considering less congested travel days and opting for early-morning flights