Thanksgiving and Holiday Travel 2024: Trends and Tips for the Season

As Thanksgiving and the holiday season approaches, millions of us are getting ready to travel for family gatherings, festive meals, and holiday celebrations. This year’s travel season is shaping up to be one of the busiest in recent memory, with record-breaking numbers expected at airports and on the roads. 

If you’re planning to hit the road or fly, you’ll want to be prepared for high travel costs and big crowds. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s holiday travel trends, plus some must-have tips for tackling busy airports, crowded highways, and the holiday stress that comes with them.

Key Holiday Travel Trends for 2024

According to a survey by The Vacationer, more than half of Americans plan to travel during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Here are some highlights and trends to watch:

An estimated 22% of holiday travelers will be journeying solely for Thanksgiving, while nearly 29% will travel for Thanksgiving and the December holidays, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.