AAA expects record-setting travel numbers for Thanksgiving. More than 1.9 million Tennesseans are forecast to travel 50 miles or more for the holiday. That’s an all-time high for Thanksgiving and more than 30,000 more travelers than last year.

National travel numbers are also expected to set new records with an estimated 79.9 million travelers. The 2% growth equates to 1.7 million more people than the previous record set last year, and 2 million more than in 2019.

These record-setting traveler numbers are being driven by economic growth, declining inflation, and strong income gains, which is expected to boost consumer spending by 4.6% compared to this time last year.

“We expect to see record travel numbers across the board,” 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 and consider travel insurance, which provides compensation for flight cancellations, delays, and lost luggage.”

Automobile travel will set new records nationwide and in Tennessee. AAA projects more than 1.8 million Tennesseans will take a road trip over Thanksgiving – that’s over 27,000 more travelers than the previous record set last year.

Gas prices are lower this Thanksgiving season compared to 2023. The national average last Thanksgiving Day was $3.26. The state average was $2.89. Currently, Tennessee drivers are finding an average price of $2.69 as of Monday. Visit GasPrices.AAA.com to view national, state, and regional gas price averages.

Falling oil prices this autumn may help push the national average below $3 a gallon for the first time since 2021, and that could happen before drivers hit the road for Thanksgiving. Regionally, drivers east of the Rockies will find gas between $2.25 to $2.50 a gallon in more than a dozen states.

According to INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights:

•     The worst times to travel by car over Thanksgiving are Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon.

•     The best time to hit the road is Thanksgiving Day itself when interstates and highways are typically clear.

•     Drivers returning home on Sunday should leave early in the morning, and those coming back on Monday should expect a mix of travelers and work commuters on the road.