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 the United States, the single busiest travel day for cars is consistently the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. This day sees a massive surge in road traffic as millions of Americans embark on trips to visit family, with nearly 90% of holiday travelers choosing to drive. In 2026, experts predict record volumes as urban congestion peaks between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM in major metropolitan areas. While the Sunday after Thanksgiving is often the busiest day for air travel and also sees heavy highway traffic from returning vacationers, the pre-holiday Wednesday is uniquely characterized by a "triple threat" of regular commuters, early holiday leavers, and last-minute shoppers sharing the same road space. Other significant peaks occur during the Friday before Memorial Day and the days surrounding the Fourth of July, but the concentrated nature of the Thanksgiving exodus makes that Wednesday the undisputed champion of gridlock.