Thanksgiving travel: record crowds and the most dangerous roads in the U.S.

According to AAA, a total of 71.7 million people will travel by road, resulting in crowds and hazards on the highway.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), around 80 million people are expected to travel by road and air in the United States during the days surrounding Thanksgiving, setting a record for holiday travel. The AAA reports that 79.9 million people will travel at least 50 miles, an increase of 1.7 million from last year and 2 million more than in 2019.

A total of 71.7 million people will travel by road, an increase of 1.3 million compared to the previous year. The AAA warns that the busiest days will be Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. Additionally, the use of other forms of transportation, such as buses, trains, and cruises, has increased by 9% compared to last year and 18% compared to 2019. Drivers are advised to stay alert to traffic apps and local news alerts, especially in metropolitan areas like New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., where traffic is expected to be more than double that of a normal day.

Precautions for Thanksgiving travel: the most dangerous roads in the U.S. during the holidays

However, weather conditions could complicate travel plans. More than 25 million people are under rain and snow warnings and advisories during the week of Thanksgiving, which could especially affect roads in rural areas.

The AAA also warned about the dangers of some of the busiest roads, which have an alarming death rate during Thanksgiving holidays. Using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), several concerning trends were identified for Thanksgiving travelers.

From 2003 to 2022, the following roads recorded the highest number of fatalities during Thanksgiving holidays, according to research by TruckInfo.net:

I-15 in San Bernardino County, California
SR-85 in Okaloosa County, Florida
I-15 in Riverside County, California
I-10 in Maricopa County, Arizona
I-5 in Los Angeles County, California
I-605 in Los Angeles County, California
I-10 in Ascension Parish County, Louisiana
SR-91 in Indian River County, Florida
I-8 in Imperial County, California
US-1 in Brevard County, Florida

It is not surprising that metropolitan areas with large populations have a high accident rate during the holidays. In fact, according to the research, four of the 10 most dangerous roads in the country are located in counties with fewer than one million residents. Therefore, if you plan to travel by road this Thanksgiving, it is important to take all necessary precautions to protect yourself and other drivers who are also looking to spend time with family.