Record numbers of Americans are set to travel this Thanksgiving, resulting in heavily congested roads and packed airports.

Approximately 80 million Americans are expected to travel this year, which is an increase of 1.7 million from last year and two million more than in 2019, according to AAA.

“Thanksgiving is the peak travel holiday, and this year looks to break several records, whether it’s by car, by plane, or by cruise,” stated Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “The holiday season is when Americans come together with family and friends, and travel plays a vital role. We continue to see a surge in travel demand as our members seek new experiences and unforgettable trips following the pandemic.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Thanksgiving travel this year.

Optimal and awful days for Thanksgiving flights

Travelers flying this Thanksgiving should brace for long waits at U.S. airports, as the number of airline seats available during the holiday season has increased by 4.8% compared to last year, according to Hopper’s 2024 Thanksgiving Outlook & Busiest Airports report.

The busiest air travel day will be Sunday, Dec. 1, while the calmest days will be Thanksgiving itself, Nov. 28; Black Friday, Nov. 29; and Tuesday, Dec. 3.

During Thanksgiving week, the busiest airports will be Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Denver International, particularly in the morning from 8 a.m. to noon, based on Hopper’s analysis.

When to drive to the airport for Thanksgiving

If you’re picking up or dropping someone off at the airport this Thanksgiving, be prepared for heavy traffic. The busiest times at U.S. airports will be between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday, while Sunday will see the least congestion at 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., according to Google Maps data.

Peak driving times for Thanksgiving travel

Expect the roads to be most congested right before Thanksgiving. Notable peak times include Tuesday, Nov. 26, from 1 to 7 p.m., and Wednesday, Nov. 27, from 1 to 5 p.m., as reported by INRIX.

Travelers making their way home will encounter significant traffic on Sunday, Dec. 1, from noon to 6 p.m. Monday will also see traffic issues from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. due to both holiday travelers and daily commuters.

Optimal driving times for Thanksgiving

According to INRIX, Thanksgiving Day will experience the least traffic throughout the holiday period.

If you’re traveling before Thanksgiving, it’s best to leave as early as possible. The lightest traffic is anticipated before 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 25; 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26; and 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27.

After Thanksgiving, the best times for driving will be early in the morning or late at night. Travelers should aim to be on the road after 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29; before 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30; and Sunday, Dec. 1; as well as before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2.

Busiest travel times in major U.S. cities

“Given the record number of travelers expected, it’s wise for drivers to use traffic apps and stay updated with local news to avoid delays,” advised Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at INRIX.

“This is especially crucial for drivers in major cities like Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Washington D.C., where traffic will be more than double compared to a typical day,” Pishue added.

Atlanta

◾ Most congested route: I-20 E from Birmingham to Atlanta

◾ Busiest day: Sunday

◾ Peak time: 4:45 p.m.

◾ Estimated travel time: 3 hours, 17 minutes

◾ Delay increase: 38%

Boston

◾ Most congested route: I-95 N from Boston to Portsmouth

◾ Busiest day: Tuesday

◾ Peak time: 3:45 p.m.

◾ Estimated travel time: 2 hours, 35 minutes

◾ Delay increase: 117%

Chicago

◾ Most congested route: I-65 N from Indianapolis to Chicago

◾ Busiest day: Sunday

◾ Peak time: 3:45 p.m.

◾ Estimated travel time: 4 hours, 11 minutes

◾ Delay increase: 45%

Los Angeles

◾ Most congested route: I-5 N from Los Angeles to Bakersfield

◾ Busiest day: Wednesday

◾ Peak time: 7:45 p.m.

◾ Estimated travel time: 3 hours, 49 minutes

◾ Delay increase: 111%

New York

◾ Most congested route: Long Island Expressway E from New York to the Hamptons

◾ Busiest day: Tuesday

◾ Peak time: 4:30 p.m.

◾ Estimated travel time: 3 hours, 27 minutes

◾ Delay increase: 133%

San Francisco

◾ Most congested route: I-80 E from San Francisco to Sacramento

◾ Busiest day: Tuesday

◾ Peak time: 7:30 p.m.

◾ Estimated travel time: 3 hours, 2 minutes

◾ Delay increase: 88%

Seattle

◾ Most congested route: I-90 W from Seattle to Ellensburg

◾ Busiest day: Tuesday

◾ Peak time: 7 p.m.

◾ Estimated travel time: 3 hours, 31 minutes

◾ Delay increase: 119%

Washington, D.C.

◾ Most congested route: Washington, D.C. to Annapolis

◾ Busiest day: Tuesday

◾ Peak time: 5 p.m.

Most Challenging Time: 10:30 a.m.

◾ Approximate travel duration: 1 hour

◾ Extended travel time: 120%

Atlanta

◾ Most difficult route:

◾ Most troublesome day:

◾ Most challenging time:

◾ Estimated travel duration: 4 hours, 2 minutes.

◾ Extended travel time: