INDIANA — Thanksgiving travel this year is on track to shatter records nationwide, with almost 2 million Hoosiers expected to venture at least 50 miles from home, according to a projection from AAA.
The forecast from AAA Hoosier officials predicts that a massive 81.8 million people across the United States will travel during the extended holiday period, running from Tuesday, November 25, to Monday, December 1. This includes an estimated 1.94 million residents of Indiana.
This national total represents an additional 1.6 million travelers compared to last Thanksgiving, establishing a new overall record. In Indiana alone, officials anticipate 120,000 more people will travel for the holiday this year.
The vast majority of travelers, approximately 90%, are expected to take a road trip, totaling 73 million people nationwide and an estimated 1.7 million Hoosiers. AAA notes this figure could rise if air travelers opt to drive due to flight cancellations or a desire to avoid airports.
Drivers can expect to pay a similar average for regular gasoline as last year, around $3.06 per gallon, during the travel period.
Approximately 6 million Americans, including about 167,000 Hoosiers, are expected to take domestic flights. This number may fluctuate due to potential flight cancellations. Another 50,000 Indiana residents are expected to use alternative modes of transportation, such as buses, trains, and cruises.
To help drivers navigate the inevitable congestion, AAA Hoosier released a guide on the expected best and worst times to travel:
| Day | Worst Times to Drive | Best Times to Drive |
| Tuesday, Nov. 25 | 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. | Before 12 p.m. |
| Wednesday, Nov. 26 | 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Before 11 a.m. |
| Thursday, Nov. 27 | Minimal traffic impact expected | Minimal traffic impacted expected |
| Friday, Nov. 28 | 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. | Before 11 a.m. |
| Saturday, Nov. 29 | 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Before 10 a.m. |
| Sunday, Nov. 30 | 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Before 11 a.m. |
| Monday, Dec. 1 | 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. | After 8 p.m. |
