AAA Oregon estimates more than 55 million Americans will be traveling for Thanksgiving this year — that’s the highest travel volume for the holiday since 2005. About 750,000 Oregonians are included in that number.
“Car travel is the dominant mode,” said Marie Dodds, director of government and public affairs for AAA Oregon-Idaho. “The vast majority are driving to their Thanksgiving destination.”
Nationwide, about 89% of people are traveling by car, Dodds said. On the West Coast about 86% of holiday travelers will go by car.
For car travelers, Dodds said the days leading up to Thanksgiving are expected to be busier than usual, but specifically the Wednesday before the holiday will bring the most car traffic.
AAA Oregon partnered with INRIX, an organization that analyzes traffic patterns, Dodds said. INRIX found the worst traffic congestion will occur Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Traffic congestion is also estimated to be an issue on Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
“Some major highways and freeways will experience travel delays of up to four times as long as a trip on a normal Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon,” Dodds said.