AAA Predicts Record Thanksgiving Travel with 3.4 Million Ohioans on the Move

CINCINNATI — AAA projects 81.8 million people nationwide, including nearly 3.4 million Ohioans, will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving holiday period, from Tuesday, November 25 to Monday, December 1. This year’s forecast represents an increase of 1.6 million travelers compared to last Thanksgiving.

In Ohio, travel is expected to rise two percent from last year, with nearly three million people hitting the roads. The Federal Aviation Administration’s recent lifting of commercial flight restrictions may also ease concerns for air travelers as the holiday approaches.

“Thanksgiving travel numbers are consistently high since the holiday has become synonymous with hitting the roads or catching a flight to spend time with loved ones,” AAA spokesperson Morgan Dean said. “People are willing to travel, brave the crowds, and make last-minute travel adjustments to ensure they can create unforgettable experiences and lasting memories with family and friends.”

AAA expects nearly 73 million people nationwide to travel by car this year, accounting for nearly 90 percent of all Thanksgiving travelers. That is an increase of 1.3 million drivers compared to last year. In Ohio, road travel is projected to rise 1.7 percent from 2024 and more than three percent above 2019 levels.

Gas prices are roughly on par with last year, when the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.06 on Thanksgiving Day. AAA advises drivers to fill up the tank the night before, check battery and tire pressure, and plan travel to avoid peak congestion. Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons are expected to see the heaviest traffic before Thanksgiving, while Sunday could be the busiest day for travelers returning home.

Air travel is also expected to see growth, with six million people projected to fly domestically, up two percent from last year. In Ohio, more than 290,000 travelers are expected to take flights, marking a three percent increase from 2024 and a 20 percent increase from 2019.

Travel by other modes, including bus, train, and cruise, is projected to rise 8.5 percent nationwide to nearly 2.5 million travelers. In Ohio, over 100,000 people are expected to travel by these methods, up nearly nine percent from last year and 36 percent above 2019 pre-pandemic levels.