Record-breaking Thanksgiving travel predicted by TSA, AAA

• The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is preparing for the busiest Thanksgiving travel period on record, expecting to screen 18.3 million people from Tuesday, Nov. 26 to Monday, Dec. 2.
• "Certain foods, such as gravy, cranberry sauce, wine, jam and preserves – which are considered liquids or gels – must be packed in a checked bag if they exceed 3.4 ounces," the TSA reminded air travelers.

Between the lines: Those traveling by car and plane — and potentially even by ship — can expect traffic, long lines and delays with millions more people heading elsewhere for the holiday.

What they're saying: "Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year we're expecting to set new records across the board, from driving to flying and cruising," Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement.

• TSA Administrator David Pekoske is expecting a very busy week at airports across the country, saying the agency "is ready to accommodate record passenger volumes."
• "The 10 busiest travel days in TSA's history have all occurred in 2024,
  and we anticipate that trend to continue," Pekoske added.

Busiest Thanksgiving travel days by car

71.7 million people are expected to travel by car between Tuesday, Nov. 26 and Monday, Dec. 2, per AAA.

• That's an additional 1.3 million travelers on the road compared to last year.
• The worst times to travel by car are next Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, according to INRIX, which provides transportation data and insights. The best time is Thanksgiving Day itself.
• Drivers returning home Sunday after the holiday should leave early in the morning, INRIX said.

What we're watching: Gas prices are lower this season compared to 2023, when the national average on Thanksgiving Day was $3.26.

• "Falling oil prices this autumn may help push the national average below $3 a gallon for the first time since 2021, and that could happen before drivers hit the road for Thanksgiving," AAA said.

Where we're going: Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oahu, Orlando, and Phoenix are the cities with the highest rental demand this Thanksgiving, according to Hertz.

• The busiest car pick-up day is expected to day before Thanksgiving, and the busiest return days will be Monday and Tuesday following the holiday.

Thanksgiving air travel record

Air travel is expected to set a new record, with a projected 5.84 million people flying domestically during the holiday week.

• That's up 2% from last year and nearly 11% over 2019. 
• The increase comes even as air travelers are paying 3% more for domestic Thanksgiving flights this year, per AAA booking data.
• International flight bookings are also up 23% compared to last Thanksgiving, due in part to a 5% decrease in cost, per AAA.

Busiest days for Thanksgiving travel by air

The busiest air travel days will be Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after the holiday, the TSA projects.

• The agency expects to screen more than 2.8 million people on Tuesday, Nov. 26, about 2.9 million people on Wednesday, Nov. 27 and more than 3 million people on Sunday, Dec. 1.
• To get through TSA quickly, the agency advised passengers to pack smart, avoid bringing prohibited items and ensure all liquids are 3.4 ounces or less if in a carry-on bag.

Holiday travel by bus, cruise and train

Another 2.3 million people are expected to travel via other modes of transportation, including buses, cruises and trains, per AAA.

• The category is seeing an increase of almost 9% compared to last year and an 18% jump over 2019, which AAA attributes in large part to the popularity of cruises.
• Domestic and international cruise bookings are up 20% from last Thanksgiving.

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