U.S. Roads, Airports and Cruise Ports Brace for Peak Crowds
U.S. holiday travel is on track to hit record levels this Thanksgiving, with the American Automobile Association projecting 81.8 million people will journey at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday, Nov. 25, and Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. The figure marks a 2% increase from last year–roughly 1.6 million additional travelers–and surpasses pre-pandemic highs, reflecting robust consumer confidence and strong demand for seasonal getaways.
The holiday continues to outpace other major travel periods, including Memorial Day and Independence Day, as Americans flock to reunions, resorts, and destinations abroad.
Domestic travelers are expected to favor Florida, drawn by theme parks, cruise ports, and warm weather, while international bookings point to Europe, the Caribbean, and Australia. Early AAA booking data suggest that domestic airfares for peak travel days are up 4% year-over-year, with hotel occupancy rates projected to approach 90% in key tourist markets.
“Thanksgiving travel numbers are always impressive because this holiday has become synonymous with heading out of town to spend time with loved ones,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “People are willing to brave the crowds and make last-minute adjustments to their plans to make lifelong memories, whether it’s visiting extended family or meeting up with friends.”
Airports and highways are expected to see record congestion, with TSA screening volumes on Wednesday and Sunday forecasted to exceed 3 million passengers per day, reflecting pent-up demand for both domestic and international travel in 2025.
As consumers continue to prioritize experiences over goods, analysts see sustained growth in holiday travel, which could provide a near-term boost to airlines, hotels, and rental car companies heading into the year-end holiday season.
