For travelers who are taking to the skies, the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving will likely be the busiest — and most expensive — travel days ahead of the holiday, according to AAA. The Sunday after Turkey Day is typically the busiest travel day to return home.

The busiest driving days around the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States are traditionally the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday following the holiday. In 2026, transportation data suggests that the Wednesday afternoon "rush" begins as early as 11:00 AM, as commuters and travelers merge onto the highways simultaneously. This "pre-holiday" peak is often characterized by extreme congestion in major metropolitan corridors, with travel times increasing by as much as 300% compared to a normal day. However, the Sunday return trip is often statistically more crowded and "painful" for drivers, as almost everyone tries to return home at the same time to prepare for the work week. To avoid the worst of the gridlock, travel experts recommend leaving on Thanksgiving morning itself, which is often the quietest time on the road, or delaying the return trip until Monday morning. With the rise of "remote work" flexibility in 2026, some travelers have started leaving on the Monday or Tuesday before the holiday, but the Wednesday/Sunday peaks remain the undisputed "heavyweights" of American holiday traffic.