Every Thanksgiving, millions of Americans take to the roads and skies to spend the holiday with family and friends. Because so many travelers leave and return within the same few days, airports and highways can become especially crowded. In this blog, we are outlining what makes Thanksgiving travel so busy and how you can prepare for it.
What makes Thanksgiving Travel Week any different than Christmas, Spring Break, or New Year's?
Unlike holidays celebrated over a longer period, Thanksgiving creates a highly concentrated travel window. Schools close, many workplaces observe a long weekend, and millions of people leave on Wednesday and return on Sunday. When so many travelers follow a similar schedule, airports, highways, parking facilities, and rental-car locations quickly become crowded.
11 Tips for Smoother Thanksgiving Travel
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- Skip the busiest travel days when you can. Leaving earlier in the week or returning after the Sunday rush could mean lighter crowds, shorter lines, and a less stressful trip.
- Choose an early start. Morning flights and early drive times can give you more room to adjust if traffic, weather, or other delays affect your plans.
- Check before you head out. Review your flight status, road conditions, and weather forecast before leaving home. Check again along the way if conditions could change.
- Reserve the extras early. Airport parking and rental cars can fill up quickly during Thanksgiving week. Book ahead so you are not searching for a backup at the last minute.
- Keep the must-haves close. Pack medications, chargers, identification, travel documents, snacks, and a change of clothes where you can easily reach them. Families may also want a few activities and comfort items for children.
- Build in a holiday-time cushion. Allow extra time for parking, check-in, security, bathroom breaks, and connections. Traveling with children? Give yourself even more breathing room.
- Prepare your car before the rush. Fill your tank or charge your vehicle before peak travel times. Bring water, snacks, blankets, phone chargers, and basic emergency supplies. If possible, pack meals to avoid crowded roadside stops.
- Give yourself room between flights. A short layover may look convenient, but crowded airports and winter weather can make tight connections risky.
- Make important information available offline. Save confirmation numbers, addresses, itineraries, and travel-provider contact information somewhere you can access without Wi-Fi or cell service. Share a copy with another adult in your group, too.
- Know what coverage you have. Review your health and travel protection before departure. Depending on the plan and circumstances, benefits may be available for certain covered cancellations, interruptions, delays, medical emergencies, or evacuations. Check the plan’s benefits, limits, and exclusions before you travel.
- Explore travel protection early. Travel protection generally cannot cover circumstances that are already known or expected when you purchase a plan. Buying early may also provide access to certain time-sensitive benefits, depending on the plan.
Whether you're flying across the country or driving a few hours to celebrate with loved ones, a little preparation can make all the difference. By planning and allowing extra time for the unexpected, you'll spend less time worrying about your journey and more time enjoying what Thanksgiving is all about—making memories with family and friends.
Have questions about travel protection for your holiday plans? Contact MissionSafe before you leave. Our team can help you explore your options and prepare for the unexpected.
From all of us at MissionSafe, we wish you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!