Is Saturday or Sunday after Thanksgiving worse for traffic?

The Sunday after Turkey Day is typically the busiest travel day to return home. Overall, 4.7 million people are expected to fly over Thanksgiving, a 6.6 percent increase compared to 2022.



In 2026, the Sunday after Thanksgiving remains the single worst day of the year for both road traffic and airport congestion. While Saturday is also a very busy "return-home" day, Sunday is the "peak of peaks" as the vast majority of students, workers, and families attempt to return home before Monday morning. According to 2025 and 2026 travel data, the worst congestion window on Sunday is between 11:00 AM and 8:00 PM, particularly on major interstate corridors. Airports also see record-breaking volumes on this day, often surpassing 3 million passengers in the U.S. alone. If you must travel on this weekend, Saturday is the statistically better choice; while still busy, the traffic is more spread out. For the smoothest possible experience, travel experts suggest leaving before 10:00 AM on Saturday or waiting until the Monday afternoon or Tuesday after the holiday to avoid the "Sunday squeeze" that often turns 4-hour drives into 8-hour marathons.

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After the holiday, most people will travel home on Sunday, Nov. 26, or Monday, Nov. 27, so expect large crowds at the airport.

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Thanksgiving travel by road The busiest day on the roads is expected to be Wednesday, Nov. 22, according to transportation analytics company INRIX. Drivers should leave home in the morning or after 6 p.m. to avoid the heaviest traffic, INRIX said.

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Thanksgiving travel by road Drivers should leave home in the morning or after 6 p.m. to avoid the heaviest traffic, INRIX said. On Sunday, Nov. 26, the worst traffic is forecast to be between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The best time to hit the road will be before noon, according to INRIX.

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Travelers heading home on Friday, Nov. 24, should consider leaving before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m., while travelers driving on Sunday, Nov. 26, should hit the road before noon.

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You'll see fewer cars on the road before noon and after 7 p.m. ?? Home for the weekend. And last but not feast, try to avoid the roads between 3-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Typically the best times to leave are around 7 or 8 p.m. local time.

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Figuring out when are flights cheapest and finding a great deal on flights can feel like a full-time job with all the changes in airfare, but use this general rule when booking: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are typically the cheapest days to fly.

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As for the weekend, the best times on Saturday and Monday are in the evening, around 6 or 7 p.m. Experts say that Sunday is statistically the lightest traffic day so that might be a good time to hit the road, as well.

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As for the weekend, the best times on Saturday and Monday are in the evening, around 6 or 7 p.m. Experts say that Sunday is statistically the lightest traffic day so that might be a good time to hit the road, as well.

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