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.

In 2026, the "Worst Traffic Day" continues to be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, specifically between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM, when holiday travelers mix with local commuters heading home early. AAA and Google data predict that travel times in major metros like New York, LA, and Atlanta can be 3 to 4 times longer than normal during this window. However, a "new" worst day has emerged: the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, as more people with remote-work flexibility try to "beat the rush" by leaving a day early, inadvertently creating a secondary peak. On the return trip, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the most congested day of the entire year for U.S. highways, with traffic peaking between 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM. For the lightest travel, 2026 experts suggest driving on Thanksgiving Day itself (before 10:00 AM) or waiting until the Monday after the holiday to make your return trip.