Headed Home? Expect Gridlock as Thanksgiving Travelers Hit the Roads Today
The turkey leftovers are packed, the football games are over, and now comes the true holiday marathon: the drive home. If you’re planning to return from your Thanksgiving celebrations today, transportation analysts have a clear message for you: pack your patience and hit the road early.
Sunday, November 30, is consistently one of the single busiest travel days of the entire year, both on the road and in the air, and 2025 is no exception. Experts project that at least 73 million Americans are traveling by car this holiday period, and a significant portion of those millions will be making their return trip today.
The Worst Time to Travel
If you want to avoid the worst of the congestion, your departure time is the most crucial factor. Transportation analytics firm INRIX and AAA data pinpoint the peak return times on Sunday as running from **late morning through the evening**. Specifically, heavy traffic is expected to build around **11 a.m. and last until 8 p.m.** in major metropolitan areas nationwide. Google Maps data concurs, suggesting the absolute heaviest delays are likely between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The advice is simple: the earlier you leave, the better. Try to depart **before 11 a.m.** to significantly reduce your time stuck in stop-and-go traffic. If an early start isn’t possible, you might find a slight reprieve by waiting until after the evening rush clears, around 8 p.m.
Major corridors that see chronic delays during the holiday crush include key interstates and turnpikes near large cities, with specific areas like the I-35 route through Texas and the New England interstates (I-93, I-95, I-84) being noted hotspots.
A Look at the Weather and the Pump
While traffic is guaranteed, the financial news is slightly brighter. As of late November, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is hovering around **$3.01 to $3.06**, a relatively steady rate for holiday travelers. For those in the South, Midwest, or Northern Plains, there is even good news, with some stations seeing prices dip below $3.00.
On the weather front, drivers should prepare for a mixed bag, which could add to the delays. A patchwork of conditions is expected across the country:
- **Wintry Weather:** Cold air and snow showers are a possibility in the **Upper Midwest, Northern Plains, and northern New England**, leading to potentially slick conditions.
- **Rain and Storms:** Travelers from the **Gulf Coast up through the mid-South** may encounter stormy weather and pockets of heavy rain.
- **Clear Skies:** Much of the East Coast will be cool but relatively dry, and travelers in the **Southern U.S. and Texas-Oklahoma region** can generally expect favorable conditions for driving.
Tips for a Smoother Trip
Above all, patience is your best travel tool today. Make sure you check your tire pressure, oil, and battery before you leave, as the holiday period sees a huge spike in roadside assistance calls for car trouble. Use a real-time traffic app like Waze or Google Maps to help navigate around unexpected bottlenecks.
Since travel times could be double the norm, be sure to keep the energy up. Pack plenty of snacks and water, allow extra time for rest stops every two to three hours, and remember the most important rule of holiday travel: focus on arriving safely, even if you are a few hours late.