The best and worst times for D.C. Thanksgiving 2025 travel

• At least 73 million people, aka 90% of all Thanksgiving travelers, will go by car.

Yes, but: Don't expect empty airports: The FAA has lifted the flight restrictions imposed during the shutdown, and more than 6 million Americans are expected to fly domestically for Thanksgiving — more than last year.

🚗 State of play: The DMV's worst Turkey Day traffic will be the Tuesday before Thanksgiving around 4:30pm on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway heading out of the D.C., per INRIX.

• Expect the trip to Baltimore to take almost two hours — a 166% jump in congestion.
• And the Wednesday pre-holiday will be the busiest day to snag a rental car, Hertz tells AAA.

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: Thanksgiving.

✈️ "Things are back to normal" at area airports following the shutdown's end, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority spokesperson James Johnson tells Axios.

• DCA and Dulles will likely see the most passengers this Friday and the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

🚕 Pro tips for drivers: Virginia and Maryland will lift most lane closures surrounding the holiday, per state transportation departments.

Virginia also has a map showing expected holiday travel trends.

• Plus, the 395 and 95 Express Lanes will reverse early for Thanksgiving travel.

Maryland drivers can check out traffic cameras, maps and a real-time list of traffic incidents.

🛫 Pro tips for fliers: Roads around both airports will be especially congested this Friday and the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, as well as the Sunday and Monday post-holiday, per the MWAA.

• The group recommends taking Metro or using the "Kiss and Fly."
• You can also reserve parking at both airports. (Dulles also has valet parking.)