Driving for Thanksgiving? See best travel times to avoid traffic

For anyone hitting the road this Thanksgiving week, patience may be as important as a full tank, with the holiday travel period shaping up to be one of the busiest on record.

“Thanksgiving travel has always been popular, but has grown into an even greater priority in recent years after the pandemic limited those opportunities to connect with family and friends,” Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe said. “Southern Californians go the distance to spend time with family and friends. This holiday is one of the busiest — and most meaningful — times to travel each year.”

Here are five things to know before heading out:

Millions of Californians to hit the road for Thanksgiving

About 6.78 million Southern Californians are expected to travel for Thanksgiving, up 2.8% from last year and nearly 7% above pre-pandemic 2019 levels, according to the Auto Club of Southern California. The vast majority — 5.88 million — will be driving.

Nationally, AAA projects 81.8 million people across the United States to travel during the holiday period from Tuesday, Nov. 25, to Monday, Dec. 1, which would be the busiest Thanksgiving travel week on record.

When Thanksgiving traffic will be worst; best times to drive

Traffic is expected to peak Tuesday and Wednesday, and again on Sunday as travelers return home.

Getting an early start may help drivers avoid the worst backups, though accidents, construction or weather issues can still cause delays. In the Coachella Valley, however, travelers can expect mostly clear skies through Thanksgiving week, with a sight chance of rain as the holiday weekend wraps up.

Some routes across California are expected to slow significantly — including northbound Interstate 15 from San Diego to Palm Springs, which is projected to hit peak traffic around 5 p.m. Wednesday. That route could stretch to nearly five hours, about 79% longer than usual.

INRIX, a transportation analytics firm, has forecast the worst times to drive:

• Noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25;

• 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26;

• 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28;

• 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29;

• 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30; and

• Noon to 8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 1.

For fewer delays, aim to drive around these times:

• Before noon on Tuesday, Nov. 25;

• Before 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26;

• Minimal traffic expected on Thursday, Nov. 27;

• Before 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 28;

• Before 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29;

• Before 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30; and

• After 8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 1.

Gas prices retreat slightly after recent spike

Southern California drivers are seeing modest relief at the pump as prices back off from a recent spike.

The statewide average is $4.63 a gallon as of Nov. 20, with Riverside County at $4.66 — still 34 cents higher than a year ago. Public electric vehicle charging prices in California are holding at 42 cents per kilowatt-hour.

AAA urges travelers to fill up their vehicles the night before a trip and checking tire pressure, the battery and basic maintenance before hitting the road.

Drunk driving risks rise during Thanksgiving weekend

AAA and Mothers Against Drunk Driving are also urging drivers to stay sober behind the wheel as holiday travel ramps up.

Between 2019 and 2023, 868 people were killed in drunk driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period.

In 2023, 309 deaths from traffic crashes were recorded that holiday weekend, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of those, 44% of victims were not wearing their seat belts. That same year, 92 drivers were involved in fatal crashes on Thanksgiving Eve, and more than a third of them were drunk.

Buckle up, and make sure the kids are, too

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is reminding drivers to buckle everyone in, including children in proper car seats, before starting the car.

“No matter how long or short your drive, it’s important that drivers and passengers wear a seat belt. We want everyone to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving,” Thermal Station Deputy Edward Rodriguez said in a press release.

California law requires all children younger than 2 to ride in a rear-facing car seat unless they weigh 40 pounds or more or are at least 40 inches tall. Once they reach those milestones, children must remain in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat until they turn 8. Children who are 8 or older, or at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, may use a booster seat, but must be secured by a seat belt at minimum.

Parents should use the “Five-Step Test” — which checks whether a child can sit with their back against the seat, bend their knees at the edge, as well as have both the shoulder and lap belts positioned correctly — to know when a child is ready to stop using a booster seat.

Jennifer Cortez covers education in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Thanksgiving travel, what to know about traffic, best times to drive