More than 1 in 5 Americans travel 50-plus miles for Thanksgiving, making this time the busiest travel period of the year. Whether you fly, drive, hop on a bus, or take the train, we have some advice on the best and wors times to travel for Thanksgiving—plus strategies for avoiding the crowds and getting to your destination on time.

Your best protection against Thanksgiving travel disruptions? Travel insurance. A plan with the travel delay benefit is a must. It can reimburse you for lost pre-paid expenses and eligible costs during a covered delay, including meals, accommodations, communication and transportation. And if you have the OneTrip Prime or OneTrip Premier plan, you can get an automatic payment of $100 per insured person, per day, for a covered flight delay with SmartBenefits®. (Exclusions and maximum benefit limits apply; see your plan documents for details.)

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In the air: The best and worst days to fly around Thanksgiving

The week of Thanksgiving is notorious as the busiest time for air travel in the U.S. As many as 6 million people board flights to get home for the holidays.

The worst days to fly are  usually the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving, according to the TSA.¹ Sunday is the worst day of all, with as many as 3 million+ flights.

So when are the best days to fly around Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving Day is the best day to fly, hands down. Air traffic decreases dramatically, making for a much less hectic experience.

But what if your mom insists you arrive earlier so you don’t miss all the family fun? Trends from past years show some clear patterns. The least crowded day to fly before Thanksgiving is Saturday, followed by Sunday and Monday. The best days to fly home after Thanksgiving are Wednesday, Tuesday, and Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving).

Tips for Thanksgiving air travel

• Enroll in PreCheck, Global Entry, or Clear to get through security faster. TSA PreCheck offers dedicated screening lanes and streamlined processing, getting you through security in under 10 minutes (most of the time). The Global Entry trusted traveler program includes PreCheck as well as expedited passage through border security. Clear is a private company that uses biometrics to verify your identity, speeding up the first segment of the security screening process.
• Book an early flight. The earlier you depart, the less likely it is that your plane will be delayed.
• Upgrade your seat. Here’s a Thanksgiving travel tip we love from Johnny Jet: “Most business travelers aren’t traveling over the holidays, so travelers can usually buy a first-class ticket or snag an upgrade for much cheaper than normal.”² Learn more: Are Flight Upgrades Worth It?
• Plan to arrive at the airport long before your flight departs. If you would normally get there two hours ahead of time, make it three or even four. There’s no room for error! If you miss your flight, the airline probably won’t be able to rebook you for a day or more.
• Pre-book your parking. Planning to leave your car at the airport? You can save money and ensure you get a spot by reserving parking at a privately owned satellite lot.

On the road: The best and worst days to drive around Thanksgiving

Thinking about hitting the road the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, after a half-day at work? So are tens of millions of other people. The absolute worst days to drive are the Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving.

The best day to drive? Thanksgiving Day, when roads are clear of commuters and most people have already made it to the their holiday destination.

If you have to schedule your Thanksgiving road trip for one of the days before the holiday, the best strategy is to leave as early as possible. Roads are generally best before 10 a.m., according to INRIX, and worst from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (1-7 p.m. on Wednesday).³ The same advice applies when you’re heading home.

To avoid Thanksgiving travel delays, check the forecast and your local traffic patterns. In Atlanta, for instance, the peak congestion period is late Sunday afternoon (after Thanksgiving) on I-20 E.  And in Seattle, the worst Thanksgiving traffic is Tuesday evening before the holiday, on I-90 W.⁴

Tips for Thanksgiving road travel

Be wary of drunk drivers. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving has come to be known as “Blackout Wednesday” or “Drinksgiving,” as it’s one of the busiest nights for bars across the country. Hometown friends get together, people drink to celebrate (or relieve the stress of being around relatives) and no one has to work the next day. Don’t drink and drive, and be extra careful to avoid people who do.

Make sure your car’s in good shape. Tires and brakes in good shape? Recent oil change? Full gas tank? Working brake lights? Windshield wipers that actually wipe? Checking all the essentials on your vehicle can help you avoid a Thanksgiving travel accident or breakdown. 

Renting a car? Protect it. An accident in a rental car can be a major hit to your wallet. The OneTrip Rental Car Protector provides primary coverage for covered collision, loss and damage up to $50,000, along with 24-hour emergency assistance, for only $11 per calendar day.

Other Thanksgiving holiday travel options

With more space, no baggage fees, and easier boarding, Amtrak might sound like an appealing way to travel over the holidays. But Thanksgiving train travel can be hectic too. With recent surges in demand, Amtrak advises you to book your train ticket as early as possible.⁵

Don’t forget about the bus, either! U.S. bus lines have been upgrading their service, and many now offer in-seat power outlets, free Wi-Fi, and reclining seats. Look at companies like FlixBus, Peter Pan Bus Lines, RedCoach, and Greyhound.

Another option: taking an international vacation. Flights overseas tend to be cheap (especially on Thanksgiving Day), and prices in Europe and other destinations drop in the November shoulder season. Cruises are popular during Thanksgiving week. The week after, however, can be one of the best times of the year to cruise, with great deals and uncrowded ships.

Need Thanksgiving travel ideas? How to Plan Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Abroad

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