Tennessee expects record-breaking Thanksgiving travel
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Tennessee is poised to set a travel record this Thanksgiving, with nearly 2 million residents expected to hit the road in the coming days.
Why it matters: Roads and airports could be especially crowded, and making it to your family's table in time will require extra planning.
By the numbers: AAA estimates more than 1,933,000 Tennessee residents will travel more than 50 miles from home during the long weekend, which starts Tuesday and extends through Monday.
Zoom out: This year's traveler total is up 2% from 2024's record high.
🚗 Driving the news: The vast majority of travelers will be driving. Nationally, the worst times to hit the road will be Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons before Thanksgiving and the following Sunday, says INRIX.
- The best travel day, if you can swing it, is Thanksgiving.
Follow the money: Luckily, Tennessee is one of the cheapest places to buy gas in the country. AAA reports the state's average gas price earlier this month was $2.62.
Zoom in: The Tennessee Department of Transportation is halting interstate lane closures from Wednesday afternoon until Monday morning to accommodate the traffic surge.
✈️ State of skies: Airports will also see a significant surge. More than 51,400 Tennesseans are likely to fly, AAA says.
- The Nashville International Airport expects Wednesday and Sunday to be its busiest days. Flyers should check their flight status before leaving for the airport.
💭 Our thought bubble: Getting to the airport early has fresh perks this year. It could give you time to check out the Concourse D expansion, which includes new restaurants and an outdoor terrace with skyline views.
- Flyers going through BNA on Friday can look out for a 5pm Christmas tree lighting.
Stunning stat: A whopping 81.8 million people are expected to travel nationwide.