Thanksgiving Travel Forecast 2023: See Times To Avoid For PA Drivers

PENNSYLVANIA — There are about 55 million reasons to plan ahead for Thanksgiving travel this year, according to AAA. That’s the number of people expected to travel at least 50 miles between Wednesday, Nov, 22, and Sunday, Nov. 26, including the more than 49 million expected to do so by vehicle.

Those getting on the road on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Philadelphia area may also have wet weather to contend with as well as the number of fellow travelers, forecasters said.

The number of travelers in the 2023 Thanksgiving forecast represented an increase of 2.3 percent over last year, AAA said, and marks the third-highest Thanksgiving forecast since AAA began tracking holiday travel in 2000.

Overall, the busiest day to drive will be Wednesday, Nov. 22, from 2 - 6 p.m. For those looking to reduce their time in traffic, the best time to drive that day will be before 11 a.m.

Possibly impacting travels, forecasters said a pair of storm systems coming from the Canadian border will be making their way east and could bring a variety of impacts to the region Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, a soaking storm can track from the central U.S. toward the East, complicating travel plans," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alyssa Glenny said.

Heavy rain could make hazardous road conditions, and possibly cause delays and cancellations at major airports including in Philadelphia, according to forecasters.

An otherwise quiet and cool trip home may be disrupted if a storm moving east from the Rockies tracks through the region, AccuWeather added.

Here are the best — and worst — overall times to drive, according to AAA.

Thursday, Nov. 23

• Worst: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Best: Before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 24

• Worst: Noon - 4 p.m.
• Best: Before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 25

• Worst: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
• Best: Before noon

Sunday, Nov. 26

• Worst: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
• Best: Before noon

“For many Americans, Thanksgiving and travel go hand in hand, and this holiday, we expect more people on the roads, skies, and seas compared to 2022,” Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement Monday. “Travel demand has been strong all year, and AAA’s Thanksgiving forecast reflects that continued desire to get away and spend time with loved ones.”

This year, people are generally paying less for domestic travel compared to last year, and more on international vacations, AAA said. The one notable exception is airplane tickets, which are slightly pricier for domestic flights this season and a bit lower for international flights.

The average price for a domestic flight is $681, according to AAA. That’s up 5 percent from 2022. However, domestic hotel prices are down 12 percent from last year to an average stay of $598.