T
The Daily Insight

What is the best time to drive on Thanksgiving Day

Author

Isabella Wilson

Published Apr 24, 2026

INRIX found that the best time to take off is after 9 p.m. on Wednesday, before 11 a.m. on Thursday and Friday and before noon on Saturday and Sunday. “Leaving in the morning is definitely the best bet,” he said.

What time is Thanksgiving traffic the worst?

Holiday travel is on the rebound nationally this year with nearly 4 million more people driving this Thanksgiving than last year. The data suggests the absolute worst time to travel will be between 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, although the roads will start clogging up starting as early as noon.

Is Thanksgiving Day a busy traffic day?

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest holidays for road trips and this year will be no different even during the pandemic,” says Bob Pishue, Transportation Analyst, INRIX. “Drivers around major metros must be prepared for significant delays, especially Wednesday afternoon.

Is Thanksgiving Day a good day to travel by car?

It is advisable to plan ahead to avoid being stuck in standstill traffic for hours before getting to your final destination. While air travel has spiked to pre-pandemic levels, 90% of those traveling Thanksgiving week are expected to do it by car, according to AAA.

What is the best day to drive home after Thanksgiving?

And if you’re traveling to see loved ones for Thanksgiving, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the Wednesday before has the worst traffic nationally, while 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving day is the best time to head off. After the holiday, you’ll want to leave early on Sunday, around 6 a.m., according to the report.

Is it better to drive on Thanksgiving or the day before?

INRIX found traffic delays nationwide are expected to be about 40% higher than normal over Thanksgiving. … INRIX found that the best time to take off is after 9 p.m. on Wednesday, before 11 a.m. on Thursday and Friday and before noon on Saturday and Sunday. “Leaving in the morning is definitely the best bet,” he said.

What do you call the day before Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving Eve Drinking Statistics: What to Expect in Your Bar on ‘Drinksgiving’ Drinksgiving. Drunksgiving. Blackout Wednesday. Thanksgiving Eve. Whatever you call it, the night before Thanksgiving has become a time for celebration before turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.

What's the best day to fly around Thanksgiving 2021?

Best Thanksgiving Travel Dates for 2021 Black Friday is also a good day to fly if you can swing a shorter trip. Most people return home the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so aim to fly back on the Saturday or Monday after Turkey Day. If you can wait another day, Tuesday is even better than Monday.

Is it safe to drive for Thanksgiving?

The CDC still recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated. For those traveling with unvaccinated people, the agency suggests safer options such as road trips with few stops and direct flights.

What time is traffic the worst?

Before the pandemic, traffic in most U.S. cities followed a similar pattern: a peak around 6 a.m. and another, slightly higher one around 5 p.m. But now, the number of drivers on the road increases throughout the day, with a sharp rise in the morning that balloons into a higher peak in the evening.

Article first time published on

Is traffic worse on Thanksgiving or Black Friday?

Google’s Maps data found that during the Thanksgiving holiday week traffic is much worse than on a typical Wednesday night as people are on the move to relatives’ houses. Interestingly, Black Friday morning traffic is no heavier than that of a typical Friday morning commute.

What is the drunkest day of the year?

And the Drunkest Day of the Year Is… The smartphone breathalyzer BACtrack anonymously recorded the blood alcohol content of more than 300,000 users to aggregate data on our boozy habits. And the drunkest day of the year? New Year’s Eve.

What is biggest drinking day of the year?

Blackout Wednesday is the day before Thanksgiving when many people visit family or take advantage of the extra-long weekend to leave town. On this day, college students make plans to attend parties and reconnect with old friends.

What is the drunkest night of the year?

Whether trying to assuage extended-family awkwardness or celebrating a reunion with hometown friends, revelers find plenty of reasons for drinking on Thanksgiving Eve. One of the biggest bar nights of the year, it finds pub owners stocking extra kegs and Wild Turkey Rye.

Is it cheaper to fly on Thanksgiving or the day before?

Prices Are Cheaper KAYAK reports you can save $50 on average if you book travel on Thanksgiving rather than the day itself, and flights on Christmas or Thanksgiving are up to 6 percent cheaper than flights on the days surrounding them. You can also save big if you fly out Christmas Eve.

What day has the least traffic?

The Safest Times to Drive According to the NHTSA’s data, Tuesday is the weekday with the least amount of crashes between 2000 and 2009. With an average of 4,455 crashes per year versus Saturday at 6,826 crashes, you’re more likely to be involved in a crash Saturday than Tuesday.

How can I see traffic at different times?

How do I see traffic at different times on Google Maps? Select “Traffic”: You can then select “Typical Traffic” and change the date/time of the traffic you are looking at: Check out the map and try some differentroutes – avoid the red bits!

Why is LA so congested?

Originally Answered: Why does LA has lot of traffic? LA has a lot of traffic because it has a large population spread over a large land area, lousy public transportation, lots of cars, and just a couple of main highways to move people north and south.

Which country gets drunk the most?

‘Risky levels’: Australia is the drunkest country in the world, survey finds. Australians have been named the heaviest drinkers in the world after spending more time drunk in 2020 than any other nation.

Is Thanksgiving a big bar night?

Thanksgiving Eve is the biggest bar night of the year. … The night before Thanksgiving is typically a big boon to business for bars and restaurants. In 2019, there was a 173% increase in sales of shots on Thanksgiving Eve compared with the Wednesday prior, according to Upserve, a restaurant management platform.

What is the biggest party night?

As we mentioned last year, Thanksgiving Eve is the biggest drinking night of the year.