After Thanksgiving, it’s time for people to head back home.

AAA projects that 55.4 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period.


What You Need To Know

  • This year marks the third-highest Thanksgiving travel forecast since AAA began tracking holiday travel in 2000
  • AAA projects that 55.4 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period
  • Most travelers NY1 spoke to at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens on Sunday had positive travel experiences
  • Experts recommend allowing for extra travel time when traveling home after Thanksgiving

Cameron Lindsay had no complainants about her travels. She goes to college on Long Island and was heading back to school from Virginia Beach on Sunday.

“Nothing crazy. Just got on my plane, got off. Now I’m heading home,“ Lindsay told NY1 at John F. Kennedy International Airport Sunday. “I got to see my sister which is always really fun, and my nieces.”

Many people traveled to see family members for the holiday.

“We were visiting our son, who is a senior at the University of Arizona,” Joe Novella said.

Novella is coming back to chilly New York after enjoying some warmer weather.

“Well, I’m wearing shorts, so I’m freezing right now. It’s ok. It’s a holiday, so we’ll make the best of the weather and everything,” Novella said.

Some people like Mani Wiley are doing a reverse commute. After not being able to celebrate Thanksgiving with his girlfriend, he said he is making up for it.

“I’m actually surprising my girlfriend for her birthday. We’re going to be going on vacation, so came out here just to celebrate,” Wiley said.

Wiley woke up at 1 a.m. and flew in from California, and said his flight wasn’t great.

“It got delayed. Somebody on the flight forgot their checked bag, so they had to get off the flight, open the doors and get back on. I didn’t know they could do that,” Wiley said.

Most Thanksgiving travelers drive to and from their destinations, according to AAA.

AAA projects that 49.1 million Americans will get behind the wheel this year for Thanksgiving.

This year marks the third-highest Thanksgiving travel forecast since AAA began tracking holiday travel in 2000. The top two years were 2005 and 2019, according to AAA.