Cars.com recent national travel survey data reveals that 80% of Thanksgiving travelers plan to drive to their destination.
A contributing factor to the high number of drivers is that of the 63% of travelers who have experienced recent flight delays, nearly all of them (92%) are now considering travel by car.
The Cars.com national survey also found:
- Growing frustration with airlines around weather delays, skyrocketing ticket prices, and schedule disruptions are leading to a record number of people opting for a holiday road trip this Thanksgiving.
- Nearly half (46%) of those who prefer to fly but are driving on Thanksgiving cite the cost of flights as reason for driving.
- 20% of those who prefer to fly but are driving cite concern about flight disruptions as reason for driving.
- Spaced-out departure dates might lead to traffic relief.
- Travel to Destinations: Almost half of travelers (41%) will leave the weekend prior to Thanksgiving with the next busiest travel day being the holiday itself (28%).
- Returning Home: About a third of holiday travelers will head back on Thanksgiving day, though 21% plan to travel back the Sunday after.
- Time of Day: Most road trippers will be setting out in the morning hours, before noon, though Thanksgiving Day will experience a small peak of late-day travelers.
- Busiest Regions: This year, the South and MidAtlantic have the highest percentages of Thanksgiving travelers.