NYC Thanksgiving Travel: Navigating the Holiday Rush

This Thanksgiving, nearly 80 million Americans are expected to travel, setting a new record. In the NYC area alone, over 8.7 million travelers will utilize the Port Authority's airports and crossings. This year's forecast includes the Tuesday before and Monday after Thanksgiving, providing a more complete picture of holiday travel trends.

Road Trip Ready?

With 89.83% choosing road travel, expect heavy traffic. The Port Authority anticipates 5.5 million vehicles crossing its bridges and tunnels, mirroring 2023 levels. All road construction will be suspended from 5 AM on Wednesday, November 27th to Monday, December 2nd.

<img src="https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5ny.com/www.fox5ny.com/content/uploads/2024/11/932/524/nyc-traffic.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" alt="NYC Traffic">

Best & Worst Times to Drive:

| Day | Worst Time | Best Time | |-----------|-------------------------|-----------------------| | Mon, Nov 25 | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Before 11:00 AM | | Tue, Nov 26 | 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Before 10:00 AM | | Wed, Nov 27 | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Before 10:00 AM | | Thu, Nov 28 | Minimal traffic expected | | | Fri, Nov 29 | 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM | After 1:00 PM | | Sat, Nov 30 | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Before 1:00 PM | | Sun, Dec 1 | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Before 1:00 PM | | Mon, Dec 2 | 9:00 AM – 6:00 AM | Before 8:00 AM/After 7 PM |

Taking to the Skies?

Air travel is also expected to hit record numbers, with approximately 3.2 million passengers projected through NYC area airports—a 2% increase over 2023. Sunday will likely be the busiest airport day. AAA projects a 2% increase in domestic flights and a 23% rise in international bookings compared to last year.

Other Travel Options:

AAA anticipates nearly 2.3 million people will utilize buses, trains, and cruises, representing an 18% increase compared to 2019, largely due to the popularity of cruises.

Gas Prices:

Expect lower gas prices than last year. AAA predicts the national average could fall below $3 per gallon for the first time since 2021.