Thanksgiving driving behavior trends 2025

Key takeaways for Thanksgiving travelers

• Expect heavy traffic the day before Thanksgiving, especially from noon to 4 p.m.
• Thanksgiving Day itself is also busy, particularly in the morning, but roads are generally safer with less distracted driving and hard braking.
• On Black Friday, fewer people are traveling long distances for deals.

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones. For millions of Americans, that means hitting the road. But what does the journey home for the holidays really look like? Based on mobility data and insights from our 2025 report “Driving Home for the Holidays,” we can uncover how driving patterns shift before, during, and after Thanksgiving, revealing trends that can help drivers as well as road safety advocates in the mobility ecosystem.

America’s busiest travel day: The day before Thanksgiving

It’s no surprise that the day before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days of the year. According to Arity’s analysis, traffic volume on this Wednesday surges by 29% compared to a typical Wednesday. People are not just driving more — they’re driving farther, often on highways, as they make their way to family and friends across the country.

But it’s not just the volume that changes. The data shows a significant increase in high-speed driving, with a 72% jump on the day before Thanksgiving. This suggests that much of the travel is happening on open roads and interstates, where drivers can maintain higher speeds. Interestingly, despite the uptick in miles and speed, there’s a decrease in distracted driving and hard braking, indicating that roads may be less congested and drivers are more focused on reaching their destinations safely.

When is the road most crowded?

When it comes to avoiding traffic congestion, timing is everything. Our report breaks down the busiest hours by state, and a clear pattern emerges: In most states, the peak travel time on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is around 3 p.m.

If you’re hoping to beat the crowds, consider leaving either earlier in the day or waiting until after the peak window. Our driving behavior insights suggest that planning your departure time can mean fewer traffic headaches and a smoother trip.

In most states, the peak travel time on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is around 3 p.m.

Thanksgiving Day: Longer drives, higher speeds

Thanksgiving Day itself brings its own set of driving trends. People continue to drive more than usual, with a 96% increase in high-speed driving compared to a typical day. The morning hours see the most dramatic change — a staggering 180% increase in high-speed driving. This likely reflects travelers making last-minute trips or heading out early to beat the rush.

At the same time, there’s a decrease in hard braking, reinforcing the idea that roads are less congested and drivers can maintain steady speeds. Distraction rates remain low, suggesting that drivers are staying focused on the road, perhaps motivated to get to the feast on time.

Black Friday: Driving trends and retail shopping

While not strictly part of Thanksgiving, Black Friday unofficially kicks off end-of-year retail shopping. The report notes that while there’s still a spike in trips between midnight and 4 a.m. on Black Friday (a 12% increase over a typical Friday), the size of this spike has been declining year over year. In 2021, the increase was 17%; by 2023, it had dropped to 9%, with a slight uptick to 12% in 2024, possibly due to extended sales periods.

What’s more, the average miles driven per trip during these early hours is down 11% compared to regular Fridays, indicating that shoppers are staying closer to home for their brick-and-mortar deals. The thrill of the midnight doorbuster appears to be waning, most likely replaced by more local shopping jaunts and e-commerce.

Conclusion

Whether you’re planning your own holiday journey or simply curious about how America moves during Thanksgiving, these insights can help you make smarter travel decisions — and maybe even enjoy a smoother ride home.