Your Thanksgiving travel guide for a family getaway

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and navigating it is especially challenging when you’re traveling with family. Whether you plan to drive or fly, careful planning and a little extra patience will go a long way in making your journey smoother and more enjoyable. This article shares expert tips for surviving the chaos, from choosing the right destination and rental property to ensuring your vehicle is road-ready.

1. Choose your preferred vehicle

No one wants their car to break down on the side of the road on Thanksgiving. Luckily, there are things you can do to avoid nasty surprises.

• If you’re driving your own vehicle: Basic maintenance is sure to make your trip that bit smoother. Check the oil, tire pressure, brake fluid, and windshield wiper fluid. You’ll also want to begin the journey with a full gas tank and try to avoid it dipping below 25%.
• If you’re renting a vehicle: Make sure you pick the right model for the weather. Heading to a snowy cabin? An SUV with an all-wheel drive (AWD) is a great choice, as these vehicles are equipped to handle unpaved or icy roads, perfect for wintery conditions.

2. Check the weather

November weather can be unpredictable for driving, where everything from snow and ice to sleet and puddles has been known to plague the roads. If the forecast looks iffy, consider tweaking your departure time. Essentials like an ice scraper, car charger, snow shovel, and flashlight can also come in handy.

3. Prepare alternate routes

Traffic jams, accidents, and road closures happen, and they can delay your trip. You may want to map out a different journey to your final destination just in case the unexpected happens.

4. Get enough rest

Resting up before hitting the road during the Thanksgiving holiday is crucial. Long drives can be physically and mentally exhausting. Not to mention, fatigue—which affects both focus and reaction time—makes car accidents more likely. When roads are busier than usual during the holiday season, one of the best ways to ensure a safe and smooth journey is by getting enough sleep so you stay alert and reduce stress. 

5. Remember your E-ZPass

Traffic tends to bottle up on toll roads, especially for drivers planning to pay in cash. Yet, an E-ZPass can make your journey that bit more stress-free. This electronic toll collection device, which you mount on your windshield, means you’ll be able to pay toll fees ahead of time and get rid of the need to stop at toll plazas. Also, when your balance drops too low, the device just tops itself up automatically. Talk about that for convenience.

If you decide not to use an E-ZPass, make sure to look up toll prices ahead of time and bring exact change so that you won’t be held up at the toll booth.

Thanksgiving week is one of the year’s busiest times to fly, as soaring crowds squeeze into airports around the country to travel before the holiday hits. Here are some useful tips for planning and booking flights around this time of year.

1. Travel during off-peak hours and days

Consider flying on Thanksgiving Day. Although you may miss some festivities, airports see some of the smallest crowds on the actual holiday.

Not to mention, the Sunday following Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days to fly of the entire year, with over two million passengers traveling through airports. Avoid this day at all costs if crowds are your nightmare. 

2. Book early

Last-minute bookings are one of the costliest mistakes you can make involving Thanksgiving travel – both by price and availability.

If you’re eyeing a specific flight time on a particular airline, the general rule of thumb is to book far in advance. Google data suggests that the lowest airfares tend to appear 21–52 days before departure for domestic flights and 50 days or more before departure for international flights.

As for places to stay, some rentals are booked months in advance, while prices tend to surge in popular destinations the closer to the holiday you get.

3. Pack light

In 2024, JetBlue announced it would begin charging additional fees for checked bags during peak travel periods, so packing light really is key. Domestic passengers now have to pay $40 for the first checked bag and $60 for the second bag on peak-day flights, while international passengers are charged $65 and $110, respectively. Other airlines, such as Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, have also increased their overall baggage fees to make up for rising operating costs.

Save money (and the backache) by bringing only what you need. You’ll also want to stay at a vacation rental that includes laundry services, which can further help you avoid overpacking.

4. Pack smart

Passing through the TSA security checkpoint is one of the more stressful steps in catching your flight. Make the process easier by anticipating what’s expected of you ahead of time.

Know that solid food (stuffing, for example) is allowed in your carry-on, but there are liquid limits for food items like gravy. So, this must be well-sealed and placed in your checked luggage. Liquids up to 3.4 ounces or less can be packed in your carry-on, so long as they’re kept in a single one-quarter plastic bag. 

5. Enroll in TSA PreCheck

Your bags are packed, you’ve made it to the airport, and then you see it: the long, slow-moving line of travelers waiting to pass through the security checkpoint. The easiest way to avoid (or at least shorten) this process is by enrolling in TSA PreCheck. This service allows you to pass through a faster and more convenient security screening at participating airports. Some of TSA PreCheck’s perks include:

• A separate line dedicated to TSA PreCheck passengers
• Automatic TSA enrollment for children aged 17 years and below when accompanied by an adult with TSA PreCheck

6. Arrive early

If there is one thing to remember for Thanksgiving travel, it’s to arrive early for your flight. You should aim to arrive two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. While you’ll be tempted to minimize your potential waiting time by arriving closer to your departure, trust us: there’s a better time to try your luck than Thanksgiving.

You also need to take into account travel time to the airport itself – roads will be more congested this time of year, and more drivers on the road mean accidents are increasingly likely. If you’re driving yourself to the airport, finding parking may be another hurdle.

After entering the terminal, go straight to your gate – but not before waiting in line to check in, drop off luggage, and pass through security. If sections of your airport are under construction, factor in even more walking time.  

Give yourself plenty of time to check off all of the above steps.

Traveling with family comes with its challenges, not least of which is finding room enough for everyone to spread out. When booking a vacation rental, you’ll need to take your particular group's wants and needs into account. Here’s what to consider.

1. Plan as early as possible 

“Well begun is half done”, as the saying goes. Even if you haven’t ironed out every little detail, researching and booking reservations as early as possible is the best way to secure the trip you’re dreaming of at the price you want. Solid preparation before a big trip will help you feel confident in your plans and less stressed about what still needs to be done.

Tip: If you’ve left things until the last minute, you’re not completely out of luck. Check out last-minute deals for places you can escape to without paying top dollar.

2. Space is your best friend

Beyond the correct number of bedrooms, consider a place with a spacious dining area where you can comfortably prepare and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. 

3. Keep an eye out for communal spaces 

A large TV and sitting area are non-negotiable, especially if you’re planning on watching the Thanksgiving Parade or if Thursday night football is a favorite family pastime.

4. Plan seating arrangements ahead of time

Got little ones in tow? Check to make sure high chairs and pack-and-plays are part of the on-site amenities so you won’t have to scramble to find suitable seating arrangements while the turkey is in the oven.

Now you know how to make the most of family time this Thanksgiving, the question still remains of where you should celebrate! Make this year even more memorable by going somewhere new for the holiday season. These three destinations offer festive fun for the whole family for those considering skipping the at-home celebration this year.

1. New York City

Holidays are a magical time to book a stay in New York City, particularly Thanksgiving, when the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes over Midtown. Spectators brave the crisp November air to watch as musical performers, colorful floats, and sky-high balloons of characters old and new drift through Manhattan from Central Park to Herald Square. Beyond the parade, there are shows to see on Broadway and at Radio City Music Hall, as well as holiday shopping to accomplish at department stores, including Macy’s, Barneys, Bergdorf’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

2. Philadelphia

Philadelphia hosts its own Thanksgiving parade – the oldest in the country and a city tradition since 1920. Even without the holiday, there’s plenty here for anyone looking to immerse themselves in history, from guide-led visits of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center to hop-on, hop-off bus tours that stop at the Betsy Ross House, where the first US flag was sewn. Philadelphia is also a great spot for runners as the Philadelphia Marathon takes place the weekend leading up to Thanksgiving.

3. Hawaii

Hawaii is a fantastic option for a November family getaway. The islands welcome fewer crowds this month than in the summer and winter, perfect if you want a relaxed celebration with the family. There’s still plenty of sun and warm weather to enjoy, with temperatures hovering in the low 80ºs, and the whale-watching season is just getting underway. For a local take on a traditional feast, book a luau for the opportunity to chow down on regional cuisine while taking in music and dance performances.

Wherever you decide to spend Thanksgiving this year, remember that a smooth journey starts with preparation. From undertaking essential vehicle checks to booking flights early and utilizing services like E-ZPass and TSA PreCheck, organization is your best friend. By planning ahead and being mindful of peak travel times, you can minimize stress and maximize enjoyment, ensuring a memorable Thanksgiving with your loved ones.