If you’re like me, you’re already preparing to travel Thanksgiving week. While many Americans may not be flying more than 1,000 miles like I am, you’re still probably confirming your plans or looking at the best routes for your drive to see family.
In fact, AAA is predicting nearly 82 million people will be traveling at least 50 miles from home for Thanksgiving between Tuesday, Nov. 25 and Monday, Dec. 1, setting a new overall record. If you’re hitting the roads or airports next week, then it is time to ready yourself for the busiest travel season.
To help you avoid delays and nightmare experiences, we reviewed 2025 trends from Google Maps to learn the best times for travel and the busiest time frames to avoid, depending on the day you decide to leave home. If you’re traveling, definitely don’t miss our tips for packing your carry-on to avoid issues with TSA or this Google Flights feature for ultracheap plane tickets.
Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.
The best and worst time to travel this Thanksgiving
I doubt there is one person who likes to drive in traffic, especially holiday congestion, when you’re trying your best to get your pies and casseroles to the meal on time. To travel with the fewest delays and avoid traffic, follow these tips, according to Google data.
Start your drive early if you can. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is now one of the most congested travel days, with traffic running about 14% heavier than usual between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and peaking from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. so try to avoid those hours entirely.
Avoid driving Thanksgiving Day. If you’re driving on Thanksgiving Day itself, plan carefully. The roads — and even grocery store aisles — are busiest between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., so grab any last-minute items early and try to schedule your travel outside that window. If you must be on the road, before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m. is still your best bet to avoid heavier holiday traffic.
Strategize the drive back home. Traffic is heaviest from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving, so shift your return drive earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon if possible.
Avoid flights on the weekends. If you’re opting to fly instead of drive, avoid booking flights on weekends when airfare is the most expensive and airports are the busiest. If you already have flights planned for a weekend before or after Thanksgiving, make sure to get to the airport earlier than you usually do.
Read more: Here’s the Best Time to Buy Cheap Plane Tickets, According to Google Flights Data
Follow these tips to travel with the fewest delays and avoid traffic during the holiday rush.
The worst time to leave for in-store Black Friday shopping
While I prefer online shopping, many Americans love the in-store experience of Black Friday sales. If that is you, plan ahead to avoid congestion. The roads are busiest between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Black Friday. Plan to shop in the morning before noon or evening to skip the traffic jams and find a parking spot. For more tips, check out this Thanksgiving cheat sheet for home and kitchen hacks.
