Worst, Best Times To Hit The Road In FL As Record-Breaking Thanksgiving Travel Expected

Thanksgiving is often one of the busiest travel periods of the year in Florida and the rest of the U.S., and this year will be no exception, according to AAA.

AAA is projecting 4.65 million Floridians will travel over the extended Thanksgiving weekend, representing a 2.6 percent jump from last year, setting a new record for the Sunshine State.

A majority — 4.25 million Florida residents — will travel by car. Another 299,000 Floridians could take flights and nearly 88,000 will use other means like buses, trains and cruises. The Thanksgiving travel period is defined as Tuesday, Nov. 25 to Monday, Dec. 1.

“Floridians are embracing the Thanksgiving spirit with record-breaking travel plans this year,” Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group, said. “Whether it’s driving across the state or flying across the country, people are making time to connect with loved ones. Even with concerns about flight cancellations, travelers are showing flexibility and resilience and relying most on driving.”

Nationwide, AAA expects 81.8 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles for the holiday, including 73 million people on the roads, 6.07 million on flights and 2.48 million by other means.

Last Thanksgiving, AAA counted 80.22 million travelers during the holiday period.

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Transportation analyst INRIX expects the most traffic congestion to happen on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons as travelers head to their Thanksgiving destinations. Travelers returning home will encounter heavy traffic most of Sunday.

Experts recommend traveling in the morning to avoid the worst congestion, but crashes, severe weather and construction could still come into play in Florida.

Here are INRIX general predictions for the best and worst travel times:

• Tuesday, Nov 25: Worst from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., best before 12 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 26: Worst from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., best before 11 a.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 27: Minimal traffic impacts expected
• Friday, Nov. 28: Worst from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., best before 11 a.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 29: Worst from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., best before 10 a.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 30: Worst from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., best before 11 a.m.
• Monday, Dec. 1: Worst from noon to 8 p.m., best after 8 p.m.

In Florida, the busiest travel route is expected along Interstate 4 East from Tampa to Orlando. The peak congestion for this route is anticipated to be on Friday around 2:45 p.m. and could take about 2 hours and 52 minutes — an 85 percent increase over the normal travel time.

Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Tampa are among the top domestic Thanksgiving destinations this year, according to AAA.

For those flying to their holiday destinations, air travelers should experience less frustrations after the Federal Aviation Administration lifted commercial flight restrictions when the government shutdown ended.

However, the Thanksgiving holiday period remains one of the busier times at airports, and those traveling by plane should be prepared for unexpected challenges, Haas said.

“With recent flight reductions and the potential for last-minute cancellations, we encourage air travelers to build flexibility into their plans,” she said. “Consider flying on less busy days, booking early morning departures when delays are less likely, and having a backup plan in case your flight is disrupted. Whether that means adjusting your return date or being ready to drive, a little preparation can go a long way in helping you navigate the unexpected.”

AAA said the average round-trip domestic flight price of $700 is similar to last Thanksgiving. Experts say it is cheaper to fly on Thanksgiving, and the busy Sunday and Monday return days can drive up prices.

Cruises are another travel method seeing a surge this year with AAA projecting 20.7 million U.S. cruise passengers by the end of 2025 and 21.7 million in 2026.

“Thanksgiving cruises to the Caribbean are especially popular for their warm weather and all-inclusive appeal,” according to AAA.