AAA projects more than 1.2 million Hoosiers will travel 50 miles or more during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period*. This year’s forecast is the second highest on record (2019), with an expected 26,783 (2.2%) more holiday travelers than last year.

“Travel demand has been strong all year and that trend will continue with one of the busiest Thanksgivings on record,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “With more people taking to the roads, skies, rails and sea; travelers should expect congested roads and longer lines at transportation terminals. AAA encourages travelers to develop their plan now, leave early, and be courteous to others.”

Indiana Thanksgiving Travel Forecast
	Total	Auto	Air	Other
2023 (forecast)	1.25 million	1.09 million	128,301	36,224
2022	1.22 million	1.07 million	118,650	32,692
2021	1.25 million	1.11 million	113,355	27,894
2019	1.26 million	1.12 million	109,999	32,251

Auto Travel is the Third Highest on Record (Indiana)

Most Thanksgiving travelers will drive to their destinations. AAA predicts just over one million Hoosiers will take a road trip of 50 miles or more. That’s over 13,000  more Indiana drivers (+1.3%) than last year; 2019 is the all-time lead since AAA began tracking in 2001.

Gas Prices Should Remain Lower Than Last Year

Thanksgiving road trips should be less costly at the gas pump this year. Despite global tensions causing ripples through the oil market, strong domestic gasoline supplies are causing pump prices to drop. Last Thanksgiving, the national average price for gasoline was $3.58 per gallon, while the state average was $3.72. Today, Indiana drivers are paying average price of $3.37. AAA believes gas prices should remain low through the holiday season unless oil prices suddenly spike. Visit GasPrices.AAA.com to view updated gas price averages.

Air Travel Passes Pre-Pandemic Highs

AAA expects nearly 128,00 Hoosiers to fly for Thanksgiving. That’s more than 9,000 (8%) from 2022 and is the highest air travel volume to date.

Busiest Times to Fly

Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving are the busiest air travel days ahead of the holiday and the most expensive. While Sunday is typically the busiest day to return home, AAA data shows Monday is also a popular day to fly back after Thanksgiving.

Cruise, Bus, and Train Traffic Gains Ground

The number of Hoosiers traveling by cruise, bus, and train over Thanksgiving is up nearly 11% over last year. AAA expects 36,000 Hoosier travelers to head out of town using these other modes of transportation, which suffered a severe setback during the pandemic, but have rebounded nicely.

“The cruise industry, in particular, has made a remarkable comeback, and thrives during the holidays,” Haas added. “Holiday cruises are highly sought-after as a means for large families to travel together and visit multiple destinations without having to worry about the cooking and cleanup. For those looking to plan a 2024 vacation, this is also a great time to connect with a Travel Advisor, who can navigate the many options available to find the best fit.”

Best/Worst Times to Drive

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects Wednesday, November 22, to be the busiest day on the roads during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, with average travel times as high as 80% longer than normal in some metro areas. INRIX recommends leaving in the morning or after 6 p.m. to avoid the heaviest holiday congestion.

“The day before Thanksgiving is notoriously one of the most congested days on our roadways. Travelers should be prepared for long delays, especially in and around major metros,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Knowing when and where congestion will build can help minimize holiday traffic frustrations. We advise drivers to use traffic apps, local DOT notifications, and 511 services for real-time updates.”

Please note – the times listed below are for the time zone the metro is located in. For example, Atlanta routes = ET and Los Angeles routes = PT.

Overall Busiest Day to Drive
Date		Time			Compared to Typical
Wednesday, Nov 22		2:00 – 6:00 PM			11.44%
Best and Worst Times to Drive
Date		Worst Travel Time			Best Travel Time
Wednesday, Nov22		2:00 – 6:00 PM			Before 11:00 AM
Thursday, Nov 23		11:00 AM – 3:00 PM			Before 10:00 AM, After 5:00 PM
Friday, Nov 24		12:00 – 4:00 PM			Before 11:00 AM, After 7:00 PM
Saturday, Nov 25		3:00 – 5:00 PM			Before 12:00 PM
Sunday, Nov 26		3:00 – 5:00 PM			Before 12:00 PM
Peak Congestion by Metro
Metro	Route		Peak Congestion Period	Est. Travel Time		Compared to Typical
Atlanta	Birmingham to Atlanta via I-20 E		Friday, 5:00 PM	4 hours 2 minutes		54%
Boston	Boston to Hyannis via Pilgrim Hwy S		Thursday, 3:30 PM	1 hour 58 minutes		54%
Chicago	Chicago to Milwaukee via I-94 W		Wednesday, 4:00 PM	2 hours 1 minute		18%
Denver	Fort Collins to Denver via I-25 S		Friday, 5:45 PM	1 hour 37 minutes		27%
Detroit	Detroit to Grand Rapids via I-96 W		Wednesday, 2:15 PM	3 hours 8 minutes		35%
Houston	San Antonio to Houston via I-10 E		Sunday, 4:45 PM	4 hours 2 minutes		38%
Los Angeles	Los Angeles to Bakersfield via I-5 N		Wednesday, 4:30 PM	2 hours 59 minutes		88%
Minneapolis	Rochester to Minneapolis via US-52 E		Friday, 5:30 PM	1 hour 56 minutes		15%
New York	Jersey Shore to New York vis Garden St Parkway N		Sunday, 11:15 AM	1 hour 51 minutes		64%
Portland	Cannon Beach to Portland via Sunset Highway E		Sunday, 2:45 PM	1 hour 59 minutes		36%
San Diego	Palm Springs to San Diego via I-15 S		Sunday, 4:45 PM	2 hours 39 minutes		24%
San Francisco	Monterey to San Francisco via Santa Cruz Hwy N		Sunday, 7:00 PM	3 hours 10 minutes		63%
Seattle	Seattle to Bellingham via I-5 N		Wednesday, 3:30 PM	2 hours 39 minutes		71%
Tampa	Tampa to Orlando via I-4 E		Thursday, 8:15 AM	1 hour 55 minutes		36%
Washington, DC	Washington, DC to Baltimore via Balt/Wash Pkwy N		Wednesday, 2:00 PM	1 hour 13 minutes		71%

Holiday Booking Prices

This holiday season, travelers are generally paying less for domestic trips compared to last year and more for international vacations. The one exception is airfare, which is slightly more expensive for domestic flights this season and a bit lower for international flights. Here’s a breakdown of average booking prices for November and December, according to AAA data:

FLIGHTS

• The average price for a domestic flight is $681, up 5% from 2022.
• The average price for an international flight is $1,231, down 5.7% from last year.

HOTELS

• The average price for a domestic hotel stay is $598, down 12% from 2022.
• The average price for an international hotel stay is $772, up 5% from last year.

RENTAL CARS

• The average price for a domestic rental car reservation is $590, down 20% from 2022.
• The average price for an international rental car reservation is $696, up 9% from last year.

CRUISES

• The average price for a domestic cruise is $1,507, down 12% compared to 2022.
• The average price for an international cruise is $2,902, up 24% from last year.

TOURS

• The average price for a domestic tour is $1,058, down 15% compared to 2022.
• The average price for an international tour is $1,208, up 21% from last year.

AAA’s Road Trip Tips

• Get a full vehicle inspection before setting out on your trip.
• Leave early and allow extra time to get to your destination, so you are not in a rush.
• Identify alternate routes in case you encounter congestion or road closures.
• Avoid distractions while driving. Program your GPS before your drive.
• Ensure everyone in the vehicle wears their seatbelt.
• Never drive impaired.

AAA’s Air Travel Tips

• Check-in early online.
• Monitor your flight status using your air carrier’s mobile app.
• Arrive 2-3 hours before scheduled departure.
• Pack medications and an extra set of clothes in your carry-on bag, just in case your flight is delayed or cancelled.

Tips for Air Travelers who Have Not Booked their Flight Yet:

• Book a flight that leaves early in the day. Flights in the afternoon and evening are more susceptible to delays and cancellations.
• Book a direct flight. Otherwise, build in extra time between connections, in case your first flight is delayed.
• Consider traveling on Thanksgiving Day. This could offer the best combination of availability and price.

“It’s not too late to purchase travel insurance, which can be extremely valuable for air travelers,” Haas said. “There are policies that can provide compensation for flight delays for as little as three hours. And if a flight is cancelled, passengers can receive compensation for covered out-of-pocket expenses.”

Top Holiday Destinations

Warm weather destinations, theme parks, tourist attractions, historic sites, and cruise port cities top the list of domestic and international destinations this holiday season.

DOMESTIC	INTERNATIONAL
Orlando, FL	Cancun, Mexico
Fort Lauderdale, FL	Mexico City, Mexico
Miami, FL	Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Anaheim, CA	Bahrain
Tampa, FL	Rome, Italy
New York City, NY	Montego Bay, Jamaica
Las Vegas, NV	Nassau, Bahamas
Honolulu, HI	Bali, Papua New Guinea
Maui, HI	Paris, France
San Diego, CA	London, England

AAA Reminds Drivers to ‘Move Over for Me’

With more people sharing the roads, the danger is multiplied for those on the roadside. AAA reminds motorists to slow down and move over for first responders, tow trucks, and any motorist with a disabled vehicle on the side of the road.

“We want to make sure all holiday travelers, tow truck drivers and first responders make it home safely this Thanksgiving,” said Molly Hart, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “All drivers can help by moving over for flashing lights, whether it’s a tow truck or a disabled vehicle with its hazard lights on. Even if it adds a few minutes to your commute, that small gesture could save a life.”

*Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Period

For the purposes of this forecast, the Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as the five-day period from Wednesday, November 22 to Sunday, November 26.