Traveling For Thanksgiving? Here’s Your Outlook

November 18, 2025 – Thanksgiving travel in Texas is expected to be unusually busy this year, with 5.8 million Texans projected to journey 50 miles or more from home over the holiday period, according to AAA Texas. That number marks a modest but meaningful increase from 2024, signaling high holiday travel demand in the Lone Star State.

Nearly 90% of those travelers plan to drive, with AAA estimating that 5.3 million motorists will hit the highways. On the air-travel front, 328,000 Texans are expected to fly, while about 140,000 may take other modes of transport like buses or trains.

Despite the surge in travel, gas prices provide a silver lining: drivers in Texas will pay around $2.61 per gallon, roughly in line with last year. AAA is urging travelers to plan ahead, calling out Wednesday, November 27, as one of the most congested days as commuters mix with holiday road trippers.

Safety warnings are also in play. AAA is reminding holiday drivers to plan for extra travel time, avoid impaired driving, and take advantage of roadside assistance—expecting thousands of calls for help during the busy travel stretch.