TOLEDO, Ohio — AAA is estimating a record number of travelers on the road and in the skies this Thanksgiving.
The travel agency estimates more than 3.2 million Ohioans will travel for the holiday — a 2.1% increase from the previous year. AAA said this will be the highest travel volume for Thanksgiving since it began tracking in 2000.
Travel by mode in Ohio
- Ohio total (auto, air & other)
- 2024 travelers: 3,235,420
- % of population traveling: 28.3%
- % change vs. 2023: +2.1%
- Ohio auto
- 2024 travelers: 2,907,056
- % of population traveling: 25.2%
- % change vs. 2023: +1.8%
- Ohio air
- 2024 travelers: 275,077
- % of population traveling: 2.3%
- % change vs. 2023: +3.5%
- Ohio other (train, bus, cruise, etc.)
- 2024 travelers: 94,287
- % of population traveling: 0.8%
- % change vs. 2023: +9.1%
Travel numbers for Toledo metro area
- Toledo metro area total (Fulton, Lucas, Ottawa and Wood counties)
- 2024 travelers: 181,104
- % of population traveling: 28.3%
- % change vs. 2023: +1.8%
- Toledo metro area auto
- 2024 travelers: 161,266
- % of population traveling: 25.2%
- % change vs. 2023: +1.8%
- Toledo metro area air
- 2024 travelers: 14,719
- % of population traveling: 2.3%
- % change vs. 2023: +0.3%
- Toledo metro other (train, bus, cruise, etc.)
- 2024 travelers: 5,120
- % of population traveling: 0.8%
- % change vs. 2023: +9.1%
According to AAA, nearly 80 million travelers are planning a trip of 50 miles or more away from home for Thanksgiving, an increase of 1.7 million people compared to last year. AAA said INRIX, a global transportation analytics company, projects Wednesday afternoon to be the worst travel period across the country.
“Travel experts say despite the increase in some consumer goods, travel has not taken a dip,” Kara Hitchens, AAA spokesperson said. “This is translating into more travelers kicking off the holiday season with a Thanksgiving getaway.”
INRIX said the worst times to travel by car are on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons before Thanksgiving. According to the data company, the best time to drive is on Thanksgiving Day.
“Although travel times will peak on Wednesday afternoon nationally, travelers should expect much heavier than normal congestion throughout the week,” Hitchens said.
