Thanksgiving, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year, is America’s most cherished holiday for family reunions. As the 2025 Thanksgiving (November 27) approaches, the U.S. is witnessing its busiest travel season in history. New forecasts from Airlines for America (A4A) and the American Automobile Association (AAA) show that between November 21 and December 1, 81.8 million people will travel across the country, putting immense pressure on both air and road transportation systems. Compounded by extreme weather, the travel experience is fraught with heightened challenges.

US Thanksgiving Travel Surge Hits Record High: 81.8 Million Travelers Embark on Cross-City Journeys
（How to Avoid Peak Travel Times）

Record-Breaking Air Travel Numbers

Air travel volume during this holiday is set to hit an all-time high of 31 million passengers, with the single-day peak on Sunday, November 30 (the return journey), expected to reach 3.4 million travelers. While the end of the government shutdown has eased some operational strains, Spirit Airlines’ 40% cut to domestic capacity due to financial troubles has worsened supply-demand imbalances on popular routes. At hub airports like Boston Logan and Chicago O’Hare, security screening wait times once exceeded three hours; though conditions have improved, travelers should still allow at least two hours for security checks during the Sunday peak. It’s recommended that passengers prioritize major carriers with sufficient capacity, such as American Airlines and United Airlines.

Superstorm Disrupts Travel Plans

A cross-country superstorm that began impacting multiple states on November 25 has emerged as the biggest wildcard for travelers. At Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, dozens of flights have been canceled and over 200 delayed due to thunderstorms. The National Weather Service warns that northeastern hubs like Chicago and New York will face a wintry mix of rain and snow, with more than 1,000 flights expected to be affected. Snow accumulation is also predicted on some roads in states like North Dakota and Michigan, posing safety risks for both air and ground transportation.

Tips for Off-Peak Travel

Over 90% of holiday travelers are opting for road trips, with 73.62 million vehicles set to hit the highways. Popular routes such as Interstate 16 East from Atlanta to Savannah and the Long Island Expressway from New York to the Hamptons are projected to see congestion lasting over five hours—an increase of more than 160% compared to normal times. The AAA notes that the worst congestion will occur from noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26. Travelers are advised to avoid morning rush hours before 10 a.m. and instead choose to travel on Thanksgiving Day (November 27) or the morning of Friday, November 28, to significantly reduce the risk of getting stuck in traffic.