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The best (and worst) times to travel this Thanksgiving
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Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 14:15 GMT by Time Out- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Navigating the Thanksgiving Rush: When and Where to Hit the Road Across America
Every year, the United States sees a colossal surge of travel as families head home or out for holiday feasts. The Thanksgiving holiday ranks as the second busiest travel period of the year, trailing only the Christmas season, and brings with it a tidal wave of congestion, delays, and frustration on the nation’s highways. In a recent article from Timeout, readers are given a data‑driven guide to planning their journeys so they can beat the traffic snarls that typically accompany the fall holiday.
The Numbers Behind the Rush
Timeout’s piece relies heavily on TomTom’s real‑time traffic analysis, which compiles data from millions of GPS‑enabled devices to produce detailed congestion maps. According to TomTom’s 2023 Thanksgiving traffic report, the peak traffic congestion occurs on Thursday afternoon, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., when commuters are still at work and families begin to leave for the trip home. The report notes that the average delay per 100 miles on the East Coast’s most heavily used corridors—particularly I‑95 from New York to Washington, D.C.—reaches a staggering 35 minutes.
On Friday morning, the congestion gradually eases, but the morning rush (7:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.) remains a critical period, especially for those traveling westward. The data shows that travelers who leave after 9:00 a.m. experience a 20‑percent reduction in overall travel time compared with those who depart earlier. By the end of the holiday week, the traffic returns to roughly 70 percent of its normal volume, though lingering bottlenecks persist around major urban hubs such as Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago.
The Timeout article also pulls in statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Travel Holiday” portal, which indicates that approximately 30 million people travel during the Thanksgiving weekend, creating an average daily volume increase of 1.4 times the norm across the country.
The Best Times to Hit the Road
Given the traffic patterns described above, the article recommends a three‑phase strategy for travelers:
Early Thursday – If your schedule allows, leave before 7:00 a.m. on Thursday. By the time the traffic begins to build in the late afternoon, you’ll have already covered a significant portion of the journey, reducing the risk of being caught in the worst congestion. TomTom’s map highlights that routes like I‑40 and US‑50, which skirt the busy corridors, enjoy fewer delays during this window.
Late Friday – For those who can wait a day, leaving after 9:00 a.m. on Friday allows you to avoid the early‑morning rush. While traffic will still be higher than a normal weekday, the congestion on major highways like I‑80 and I‑70 is noticeably lower. The article points out that the “Friday‑afternoon lull” is a particularly safe slot for long‑haul drivers.
Weekend Wind‑Down – Some travelers prefer to leave on Saturday night or Sunday morning. Although the article notes that this strategy can save time on the road itself, it also cautions that the roads may be congested around city exits and that toll booths may see longer queues. The TomTom traffic map shows that exit congestion on I‑5 around the San Francisco Bay Area peaks at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, whereas the Los Angeles–San Diego corridor remains relatively smooth after midnight.
Route‑Specific Recommendations
The Timeout article breaks down its advice regionally, drawing on TomTom’s heat‑map data to suggest the most efficient detours:
East Coast – Avoid the I‑95 corridor between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Instead, use the scenic Blue‑Ridge Parkway or the Appalachian Highway. For travelers heading to New England, the article suggests taking I‑495 around Boston to sidestep the congestion at the downtown loop.
South – On the I‑10 corridor from Texas to Florida, travelers should monitor the stretch between Houston and San Antonio for heavy truck traffic. The article recommends using I‑35 or the “Texas Turnpike” as alternatives, which remain less congested according to TomTom’s 2023 data.
Midwest – The I‑80 and I‑90 corridors often experience delayed arrivals on the weekend. The article advises using the parallel routes such as US‑6 or US‑20, which, according to TomTom, maintain smoother traffic flows during peak times.
West Coast – Travelers heading up the Pacific Coast Highway should be wary of the choke point around San Francisco. The article recommends taking the I‑580 or I‑680 loop around the city, which remains comparatively free of congestion, even during the weekend’s late‑night rush.
Practical Tips for the Road
Beyond choosing the right time and route, the article offers a host of practical recommendations:
Use Traffic Apps – The article underscores the usefulness of Google Maps, Waze, and TomTom’s own app, noting that they can provide real‑time updates, alternate route suggestions, and live traffic camera feeds. It specifically cites TomTom’s “Live Traffic” feature, which can alert drivers to unexpected accidents or road closures.
Pack Essentials – The article reminds readers that a full car‑kit—including water, non‑perishable snacks, a first‑aid kit, and a spare tire—can save valuable time and reduce the likelihood of a roadside break‑down. It references a US DOT safety report that links adequate preparedness with fewer emergency stops during holiday travel.
Plan Your Stops – The article suggests pre‑booking hotel stays or setting up layover stops in less congested towns, especially if you’re traveling cross‑country. It highlights how planning a break in cities like Nashville, Atlanta, or Kansas City can help you avoid the worst of the traffic while giving you a chance to stretch.
Stay Flexible – The article stresses the importance of remaining flexible with your itinerary. In case of an unexpected traffic jam, an alternate route can save hours of delay. It recommends using TomTom’s “Dynamic Routing” feature, which automatically recalculates your path in real‑time.
Looking Ahead
In the final section, Timeout links to a U.S. Department of Transportation study that projects a gradual decline in traffic volume during holiday travel over the next decade, thanks to the rise of streaming entertainment and flexible work arrangements. The article also cites a recent New York Times piece that explores how rural roads are becoming more prone to congestion as traffic patterns shift toward the weekend, suggesting that local authorities may need to invest in road‑wide upgrades.
In sum, Timeout’s Thanksgiving traffic guide is a comprehensive, data‑driven playbook for anyone looking to avoid the pitfalls of the holiday rush. By choosing the right departure time, selecting the most efficient routes, and equipping themselves with the right tools and supplies, travelers can turn the daunting challenge of Thanksgiving travel into a manageable, if not enjoyable, experience.
Read the Full Time Out Article at:
[ https://www.timeout.com/usa/news/thanksgiving-traffic-in-the-us-the-best-time-to-travel-across-the-country-110625 ]
