Thanksgiving travel will be even busier in 2023. What to know about road traffic, air travel.

Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register
Updated ·4 min read

This year is going to be one of the busiest Thanksgiving weekends for travel on record.

According to the AAA Thanksgiving forecast, 54.4 million people nationwide are expected to travel 50 miles or more to give thanks with family and friends over the holiday. More than 4 million of those travelers are predicted to be in the Midwest, a 2% increase from last year.

“Travel demand has been strong all year and that trend will continue with one of the busiest Thanksgivings on record,” Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAA , said in a news release. “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, leave early, and be courteous to others.”

COVID-19 put a damper on traveling for the holiday season. Pre-pandemic, the predicted travel forecast was around 4.56 million travelers in the Midwest. Since 2021, the number was reported to be 4.25 million.

More: Where to eat at a restaurant for Thanksgiving in the Des Moines metro

How will people be traveling on Thanksgiving?

Most of these Thanksgiving-trekkers are driving cars to get to their holiday destinations. Good news for them: gas prices should remain relatively low, at least compared to last year when the average cost per gallon was $3.51. The state average sits below that, currently at $3.05 a gallon.

The average cost in the Des Moines metro is around $3.03.

Unless oil prices suddenly spike in the remaining days until Thanksgiving, gas prices are predicted to stay around the current average.

You can find gas price averages on AAA's website or compare prices around you with apps like GasBuddy.

What to expect if you're driving on Thanksgiving

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, reports that Nov. 22 will be the busiest day on the roads during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. Average travel times are estimated to be up to 80% longer than normal in some metro areas.

Plan on leaving in the morning or after 6 p.m. to avoid the heaviest holiday congestion.

“The day before Thanksgiving is notoriously one of the most congested days on our roadways. Travelers should be prepared for long delays, especially in and around major metros,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, said in a news release. “Knowing when and where congestion will build can help minimize holiday traffic frustrations. We advise drivers to use traffic apps, local DOT notifications, and 511 services for real-time updates.”

Whether you're traveling cross country or to the next town over, the Iowa Department of Transportation reminds drivers to stay safe anytime, not just during the holiday season.

"We always give the tips of wearing your seat belt and make sure you're focusing on the task of driving," said Andrea Henry, a spokesperson for the Iowa DOT. "One of the major issues this year has been speed. The speed of traffic in general has just gotten faster, so we ask that everyone slow down. That will really help improve the safety of the roadways."

More: Where to find free Thanksgiving meals in the Des Moines area in 2023

Thanksgiving driving tips from AAA

  • Get a full vehicle inspection before setting out on your trip.

  • Leave early and allow extra time to get to your destination, so you are not in a rush.

  • Identify alternate routes in case you encounter congestion or road closures.

  • Avoid distractions while driving. Program your GPS before your drive.

  • Ensure everyone in the vehicle wears their seat belt.

  • Never drive impaired.

What to expect if you're flying this Thanksgiving season

The turkey on your table might not be taking flight, but travelers are.

According to a AAA news release, nearly 231,000 people are expected to fly from the Midwest for Thanksgiving, which is 13,000, or 5%, more than 2022, but still behind pre-pandemic numbers.

Much like driving, the days leading up to Thanksgiving are some of the busiest in airports.

"Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving are the busiest air travel days ahead of the holiday and the most expensive," the release said. "Sunday is typically the busiest day to return home. AAA data shows Monday is also a popular day to fly back after Thanksgiving."

Thanksgiving travel at the Des Moines International Airport is expected to beat pre-pandemic levels with 25,000 people expected to pass through. The Sunday after Thanksgiving could see over 5,000 passengers.

More: How much will Thanksgiving dinner cost Iowans in 2023? There's good and bad news.

Thanksgiving flying tips from AAA

  • Check-in early online.

  • Monitor your flight status using your air carrier’s mobile app.

  • Arrive two to three hours before scheduled departure.

  • Pack medications and an extra set of clothes in your carry-on bag, just in case your flight is delayed or canceled.

Kyle Werner is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@dmreg.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Thanksgiving travel expected to increase in 2023