Record Thanksgiving Travel Expected: Here Are The Worst Times To Hit The Road In MA

MASSACHUSETTS — Massachusetts residents traveling for Thanksgiving are expected to encounter record crowds on the highway this year as some travelers opted to drive instead of fly to their destinations this year, according to AAA estimates.

In its 2025 Thanksgiving travel forecast, the auto club projects 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving travel period that starts Tuesday and continues through Monday, Dec. 1.

The domestic travel forecast includes an additional 1.6 million travelers compared to last Thanksgiving, setting a new overall record. Thanksgiving is the single-busiest holiday for travel, compared to others like Memorial Day and July 4.

Most people will be traveling by car. AAA projects 73 million people, or nearly 90 percent of all holiday travelers, will be taking road trips. That’s about 1.3 million more people on the roads than last year, and the number could be higher if some air travelers decide to drive instead of fly due to lingering disruptions at airports from the government shutdown.

Approximately 6 million people, 2 percent fewer than last year, are planning to fly. YOURSTATE residents who have booked Thanksgiving air travel should check for delays and cancellations with a tracking service such as FlightAware before leaving for the airport.

While flight reductions at high-traffic airports have been lifted with the reopening of the government, travelers may experience some lingering travel disruptions, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said.

Massachusetts residents who are driving somewhere for Thanksgiving should anticipate heavy traffic on both Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the transportation data company INRIX. Travelers returning home on Sunday should expect heavy traffic most of the day.

If possible, Massachusetts residents should avoid traveling from Boston to Hyannis via Pilgrim Hwy S. during the peak congestion period on Thursday at 11:45 a.m. There will be a 108% increase compared to typical travel times.

Related: No ‘Disrespectful Dress,’ Other Things To Know About Thanksgiving Travel

Here are the worst and best times to travel during the seven-day holiday period:

• Tuesday: worst, 12-9 p.m.; best, before noon.
• Wednesday: worst 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; best, before 11 a.m.
• Thanksgiving Day: minimal traffic impact expected
• Friday: worst, 1-7 p.m.; best, before 11 a.m.
• Saturday: worst, 1-8 p.m.; best, before 10 a.m.
• Sunday: worst, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; best, before 11 a.m.
• Monday, Dec. 1: noon-8 p.m.; best, after 8 p.m.

Travel delays should be expected in the top 10 Thanksgiving destinations, AAA said. They are Orlando, Florida; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Miami; Anaheim/Los Angeles; Tampa, Florida; New York City; San Francisco; Honolulu; Las Vegas; and Atlanta.

See Also:

• First Look At Thanksgiving Day Forecast In MA: Here's What To Expect
• MA Grocery Prices Have Increased: What That Means For The Holidays
• Will MA Have A White Christmas? Here’s What The Old Farmer's Almanac Predicts