Traveling for Thanksgiving? These are the best times to hit the road in PA, AAA says
Nearly 80 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles to enjoy Thanksgiving this year as the holiday observes record-high traffic across the U.S., auto group AAA projects.
According to this year’s estimates, AAA expects 1.7 million more people will travel at least 50 miles for the holiday than in 2023. This year’s projection of roughly 80 million such travelers even beats pre-pandemic totals in 2019 by about 2 million.
“Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year we’re expecting to set new records across the board, from driving to flying and cruising,” Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in a media release. “Americans reconnect with family and friends over Thanksgiving, and travel is a big part of that. AAA continues to see travel demand soar post-pandemic with our members looking for new adventures and memorable vacations.”
If you hope to beat Thanksgiving traffic in Pennsylvania and beyond, here’s what you should know.
What are the worst times to travel for Thanksgiving in 2024?
If you’re traveling by car this Thanksgiving, you might want to avoid the roads during the afternoons the Tuesday and Wednesday immediately preceding the holiday, AAA reports. That insight comes courtesy of INRIX, a transportation data and insight firm that suggests major delays are likely in store for those traveling this week.
“With a record number of travelers expected to be on the road, drivers should follow traffic apps and local news alerts to avoid major delays,” Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at INRIX, said in a media release. “This is especially important for drivers in metropolitan areas like Boston, New York, LA, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., where traffic is expected to be more than double what it typically is on a normal day.”
Here’s a more specific breakdown of the worst times to drive around Thanksgiving, according to AAA and INRIX:
- Monday, Nov. 25 from 1 to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 1 to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 27 from 1 to 5 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 29 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 30 from 4 to 8 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 1 from noon to 6 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
What are the best times to hit the road for Thanksgiving?
These are the best times to travel by car around Thanksgiving, the report claims:
- Tuesday, Nov. 26 before 10 a.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 27 before 10 a.m.
- Friday, Nov. 29 after 1 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 30 before 1 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 1 before 1 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 2 before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
Those who don’t mind an early exit (or a close-cut arrival) might consider traveling Thanksgiving Day. The holiday typically sees minimal traffic on highways and other major roads, the travel forecast suggests.
What’s the outlook for Thanksgiving air travel?
AAA projects roughly 5.84 million people will fly across the country this Thanksgiving, up 2% from 2023 and about 11% from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Travelers by air are likely paying more this year than in the past, AAA finds. The average price for a domestic round-trip flight is about $700, up roughly 3% from last year.
Could weather play a role while traveling in Pennsylvania this Thanksgiving?
At this time, the weather shouldn’t have too significant of an impact for those traveling through central Pennsylvania this week.
The National Weather Service is calling for a chance of showers Tuesday before more rain arrives Wednesday night leading into Thanksgiving. In State College, rain is expected to fall mainly before 1 p.m. Thursday.
The agency’s forecast calls for a chance of snow showers in the evening on Thanksgiving leading into Friday, though little accumulation, if any, is expected. Temperatures in the area will drop significantly following the mid-week rain, bringing expected high temperatures of 39 degrees Fahrenheit Friday and 32 degrees Saturday.
Though rain or snow might annoy drivers throughout Pennsylvania this Thanksgiving, any precipitation would likely be a welcome sight. Every county across the commonwealth is observing at least abnormally dry conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Conditions are the worst in eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania, which are experiencing either severe or extreme drought as of Nov. 19.
Snowfall totals and temperatures in central Pennsylvania seem likely to wind up milder than normal this winter, according to early forecasts from local meteorologists and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center. Pennsylvania is expected to lean toward observing above-normal temperatures in November, December and January alongside equal chances of above- or below-normal precipitation early this winter.
How much does gas cost in Pennsylvania this Thanksgiving?
According to AAA’s fuel price index, the average gallon of gas in Pennsylvania costs $3.24 as of Nov. 25. That’s nearly 20 cents more than the national average, $3.06.
Though Pennsylvania’s average gallon of gas is the seventh-most expensive in the country, some savings are available this Thanksgiving. Amazon Prime members, for example, can save up to 10 cents per gallon at participating bp, Amoco and ampm stations throughout the country through a new savings program. Additionally, Sheetz is slashing the price of its Unleaded 88 gas by 40 cents per gallon through Nov. 30 as a holiday promotion.
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