With COVID-19 cases continuing to ebb, and RSV/flu cases potentially declining, officials from AAA are predicting a heavy Thanksgiving travel season for 2022 — one that could see pre-pandemic volumes.
More than 54 million people are expected to travel 50 or more miles from home next week, in search of a warm hearth, a strong meal and time with friends and family. That’s a 1.5% increase from 2021, and 98% of the 2019 prognostication.
Defined as a five-day period between November 23-27, AAA East Central Senior Vice President Bevi Powell noted that people are “eager to get back to creating memories” with loved ones, and pre-pandemic levels of travelers means pre-pandemic levels of congestion — and motorists should “strategically plan when they leave,” toting patience along the way.
More than 49 million are expected to travel by car, and another 4.5 million are expected to venture through the country’s airlines.
More than 1.4 million travelers are also expected to go by bus, train or cruise ship — an increase of 23% from last fall, and serves as 96% of the 2019 tally.
For clarity, the 2005 and 2019 Thanksgivings have been the busiest for travel in America in the last two decades. AAA began tracking this data in 2000.
INRIX, a transportation analytics service, estimates severe congestion in several of the country’s largest metro areas, with Atlanta, Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles the busiest. Traveling early Wednesday, or before 11 AM on Thanksgiving Day, is recommended for these regions.
AAA expects rescue no less than 410,000 stranded motorists during this five-day period, specifically with dead batteries, tows, flat tires and lockouts.
Top destinations for Thanksgiving getaways include: Orlando, Anaheim, Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Chicago and Charlotte.
