Texas will see record volume of Thanksgiving travelers, AAA says

In an aerial view, traffic is seen on Interstate 35 in Austin, Texas. AAA Travel is forecasting a record high of approximately 81.8 million people traveling at least 50 miles from home over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Millions of Texans are expected to hit the road today, with Thanksgiving travel volume rising for the seventh straight year, according to new data from AAA.

Between Tuesday, Nov. 25 and Monday, Dec. 1, the membership organization providing roadside assistance and travel planning said 5.8 million Texas drivers will travel 50 miles or more from home to celebrate the holiday. That’s up 1.1% from last year, an addition of about 62,000 drivers. The expected volume breaks state records.

About 5.3 million of Texans traveling during the holiday period will drive, AAA said. Only 328,000 Texans are expected to fly.

On a national scale, travel volume is expected to reach 81.8 million American drivers, an increase of 2% — an additional 1.6 million travelers — compared with 2024.

A new study conducted by Insurify and Cambridge Mobile Telematics found Texas experiences the most distracted driving during the Thanksgiving holiday. Texas' peak coincides with 30 other states that also experience their highest levels during Thanksgiving, so Texans driving out of state should keep that in mind.

The findings also note that distracted driving on Thanksgiving spikes 22% above a typical Thursday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. The study found that nationally, speeding rises by 68% and distracted driving rises by 11% on Thanksgiving compared to other Thursdays.

Holiday travel tips

During the holiday rush, AAA recommends checking your tires, battery and other maintenance needs before embarking on your trip. The agency said it expects 29,000 roadside assistance calls in Texas this Thanksgiving.

If flying, book your parking ahead of time, check in online and give yourself plenty of time at the airport in case of long security lines.

TxDOT's “Be Smart. Drive Smart” campaign

Ahead of the holiday, the Texas Department of Transportation released its "Be Smart. Drive Smart" campaign to remind drivers to be responsible and safe on the road.

One point the agency wants to hammer home? Expansion of the "Move Over or Slow Down" law, which requires drivers to move over an entire lane or slow to 20 miles per hour below the speed limit when passing certain roadside vehicles.

Those vehicles include law enforcement, tow trucks, utility vehicles, municipal waste trucks, emergency responders and TxDOT vehicles with activated overhead lights on the side of the road. Since Sept. 1, the law also includes animal control officers and parking services employees.

With so many extra drivers on the road during the holidays, TxDOT said its a timely reminder.

Failure to follow the law can result in a fine of up to $1,250 for a first offense. Motorists who cause serious injuries to roadside employees may face jail time and a fine of up to $4,000, TxDOT said.