Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year and, for those who have yet to start their Thanksgiving trips, the busiest days are still to come. There’s no shortage of reasons why commuters are delaying their departure but, if you are among those who are still making travel plans, understanding the timeline of the busiest days can help you plan the most stress-free way to get to your final destination.
To start, research suggests that the three days leading up to Thanksgiving, which this year are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, are the busiest of the Thanksgiving travel rush. With the majority of Americans starting their travels on this pre-Thanksgiving timetable, it’s no surprise that the airports and transportation hubs are expected to be the busiest in the country on these days. With that in mind, travelers should plan to arrive at their departure points far earlier than usual and be prepared for longer wait times and security lines.
On the other hand, the day after Thanksgiving decent to be the slowest day of travel, particularly on the roads. This is mainly due to an increase in the amount of people returning from trips the day after Thanksgiving, in comparison to the amount of people departing on trips. Furthermore, many of those who are traveling on Thanksgiving day do so on an overnight trip, leading to an exodus of travelers on the traditional ‘Black Friday’ roadways. However, travelers should still be aware that the roads on Thanksgiving Day itself will still be quite busy.
Lastly, taking a look at Thanksgiving Day, Wednesday of this year, which is traditionally the busiest day of travel as millions of travelers take off for their family’s homes and holiday getaways. With so many people choosing to start their trips this day, travelers should be sure to check and double-check their transportation’s flights, buses, or trains, to make sure they’re arriving on the correct date and time, as many flights and transportation options will be full.
Though delays and bumps can occur during this busy travel time, understanding when the busiest days are can help you plan on the best time and routes of travel to get to your final destination. Whether you plan on heading out on the road before Thanksgiving day, or taking a plane on Wednesday night, taking careful consideration of the timeline can ensure a pleasant journey this Thanksgiving season.