Thanksgiving travel is expected to set a new record with AAA predicting nearly 82 million travelers will head 50 miles or more away from home. The majority of travelers, 73.3 million, will take road trips, and AAA reminds drivers to have their vehicles looked over by a certified mechanic to ensure they are road trip ready.

In 2024, AAA responded to more than 22,000 requests for emergency road service across New York State over the Thanksgiving travel period, which is a ten percent increase year over year. Towing cars was by far the top need, followed by battery replacement, jump starts, then flat tires. The Monday after Thanksgiving was the busiest day for tow requests, which is typical.

“The Monday after a holiday is always a busy one at AAA,” explained AAA Dispatch Manager Dan Fisher. “Many people stay home and relax with their families over the long weekend, and then Monday comes, and drivers encounter car trouble as they return to work or head home from holiday road trips.”

Nationally, AAA responded to nearly 600,000 calls for emergency road service over the Thanksgiving travel period in 2024 for issues like dead batteries, flat tires, and empty fuel tanks.

Fisher noted that the average life of a car battery in New York is three to five years, so AAA encourages drivers to proactively have their battery tested before a road trip if their battery is aging. AAA can provide that service right at a home or business.

Drivers will benefit from lower pump prices this Thanksgiving. The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.07 compared to $3.06 one year ago. The New York State average is $3.15, which is one cent cheaper than one year ago.

This Thanksgiving, Orlando is the top destination for travelers within the U.S., while New York City ranks sixth. With so many travelers heading to New York, AAA and INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, warn that traffic will be busier than usual with peak congestion on the Long Island Expressway from New York to the Hamptons today at 4:30 p.m.

Traffic across the state is expected to be busy on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and evenings before Thanksgiving with Sunday and Monday being the busiest after the holiday. To avoid congestion, travelers should aim to hit the road in the morning before traffic volume increases.

AAA reminds drivers to pack an emergency kit in their vehicles including a cell phone charger, warm clothes, blankets, tools, along with snacks and water. Drivers are also encouraged to control their speed, practice a safe following distance, and avoid distractions.

“Holiday road trippers should plan ahead with directions, program GPS before they start driving, and have a passenger assist with maps if possible,” said Elizabeth Carey, Director of Public Relations at AAA Western and Central New York. “The goal is to keep everyone safe and thankful this Thanksgiving.”