Many Americans will be hitting the road and skies this week. Here’s what to expect

If you’re traveling this week, you’ll be in good company.

A record 81.8 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more on Thanksgiving, according to the American Automobile Association, which will likely lead to congested roads, airports and planes from Tuesday onward. About 1.6 million people are expected to travel more this year than in 2024, with nearly 90% driving to their destination, AAA said.

Some families may have decided that driving was a better option, since the Department of Transportation ordered reduced air traffic during the government shutdown. Ben Motzabo, senior aviation editor at The Points Guy, a travel-focused website, said rates of flight delays and cancellations are back to normal now that Washington, D.C., is back in business.

“I don’t think we will see any lingering effects or hangover from the lockdown,” Motzabo said. “Instead, what travelers should really worry about is the weather. Fortunately, the forecast for this week looks relatively good.”

The storms could impact travel in the Northeast and some northern states, according to AccuWeather, with thunderstorms and snow possible. Areas that might see snow are adept at working through winter weather, although thunderstorms in Texas and Georgia could cause problems over the next couple of days if they hit major centers at inopportune times, Mozzabo said.

Avoiding a crowded airport isn’t the only reason Americans drive for family dinners; Many people want to save money. About 31% of consumers said their financial situations were worse than last year, and the shift was most pronounced among households earning $100,000 or more annually, according to surveys conducted by consulting firm Deloitte this fall.

Many plan to stay with friends and family, not in hotels or vacation rentals, and take shorter trips this holiday season, Deloitte said in a report looking at travel plans from Thanksgiving to mid-January.

“Warfulness among higher-income travelers — who typically spend more and travel farther — could spread across airlines, hotels and destinations that rely on premium spending,” the report said.

The decline may be less pronounced around Thanksgiving, the busiest holiday for travel, according to AAA. The Federal Aviation Administration said airports and traffic control teams are preparing for what could be the busiest Thanksgiving period for air traffic in 15 years. (Actual bookings are down about 4.5% from a year ago, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.)

To avoid conflict, Transport Minister Sean Duffy recorded a public service announcement urging travelers to be considerate of each other. Duffy said travelers should help pregnant women and the elderly, say “please” and “thank you” — and dress respectfully.

Motzbaugh said the planes would be full anyway. “You’ll have a lot of company at the airport.”