The 2025 Thanksgiving travel season is expected to be the busiest on record, with nearly 82 million Americans, including 6.78 million Southern Californians, planning to leave town for the holiday.
Those who are hitting the road by car will likely have plenty of company. During the Thanksgiving Travel Period from Tuesday, Nov. 25 to Monday, Dec. 1, nearly 90% of the planned travelers are expected to drive, according to AAA.
High gas prices are not deterring people from traveling by car as the average price is $4.66 a gallon for regular unleaded across the state.
Best and worst time to travel by car
Researchers recommend Thanksgiving travelers to start making their pilgrimage on Monday, Nov. 24 or earlier as Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons are expected to be most congested before the holiday.
After Thanksgiving, drivers are encouraged to hit the road Saturday Nov. 29 or earlier because heavy traffic is predicted all day Sunday.
If travelers’ schedules are not as flexible,. AAA recommends drivers start heading out:
- Tuesday, Nov. 25 before 12 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 26 before 11 a.m.
- Friday, Nov. 28 before 11 a.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 29 before 10 a.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 30 before 11 a.m.
- Monday, Dec. 1 after 8 p.m.
Roadways are expected to see light traffic on Thanksgiving Day.
Which freeway will see the most congestion?
The 5 Freeway between Los Angeles and Bakersfield will see the heaviest traffic volume in Southern California, especially on Wednesday at around 7:45 p.m.
Researchers with INRIX forecast that it’ll take over 4 hours to get to Bakersfield from LA, with the traffic volume increasing 147%.
Wednesday will also likely be the busiest day for rental car pick-ups, according to Hertz. Good news, though, is that domestic rental car rates are 15% lower than last year.
Where are Southern Californians going?
Some of the top domestic destinations include San Diego, Las Vegas, Disneyland, the Bay Area and nearby national parks.
While over 5.88 million Southern Californians are traveling by car, 704,000 people are flying out to domestic and international destinations.
Most domestic air travelers from Southern California are heading to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami within the U.S. while more international travelers are planning to visit Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna and Cancun.
Allison Craig is a passionate sports writer and analyst with a deep love for game strategies, player performances, and the latest trends in the sports world. With years of experience covering football, basketball, tennis, and more, she delivers insightful analysis and engaging content for sports enthusiasts.
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