CA Thanksgiving Travel 2022: Hit The Road Before Peak Travel Times

CALIFORNIA — If you’re among the estimated 54.6 million Thanksgiving travelers this year, timing your departure in California can make the trip less stressful.

The auto club AAA said in its Thanksgiving travel prediction released Tuesday that nearly 49 million Americans will travel by car during the long weekend, which, for travel purposes, is Wednesday-Sunday, Nov. 23-27. Thanksgiving Day is on Nov. 24.

AAA’s data partner INRIX expects severe congestion in U.S. metro areas — especially around Los Angeles and San Francisco — with some drivers experiencing more than double the amount of time stuck in traffic during peak travel times.

Here are the potential trouble spots in both Northern and Southern California and when they’ll be the busiest:

In Los Angeles, the I-5 south from Colorado Street to Florence Avenue will be impacted by 144 percent more traffic than usual starting Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Across Southern California, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego counties can expect heavy traffic Wednesday on the I-5, I-15, I-10, I-8, and the San Diego (405) Freeway.

In San Francisco, the I-80 West from Maritime Street to San Pablo Dam will be impacted by 80 percent more traffic than usual starting Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Also across the Bay Area, expect heavy traffic on I-580 eastbound, I-80 in both directions, I-680 northbound, and US 101 northbound.

To avoid the most hectic times, travel early in the morning on Wednesday or before 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Avoid traveling between 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

In general, the best and worst times to be on the road are:

Wednesday, Nov. 23 — worst times: 1 a.m. to 8 p.m.; best times: before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m.

Thursday, Nov 24 — worst times: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; best times: before 11 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 25 — worst times: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; best times: before 11 a.m. and after 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 26 — worst times: 4 p.m. to 8 pm.; best times: before 2 p.m. and after 8 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 27 — worst times: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; best times: before 11 a.m. and after 8 p.m.

Other busy metros around the nation are New York, Chicago Boston, Detroit, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

This year is expected to be the third-busiest for Thanksgiving travel since AAA began tracking in 2000. Thanksgiving travel by car is expected to approach 98 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

Although most will travel by car, about 4.5 million Americans plan to fly to their Thanksgiving destinations, an increase of 8 percent — 333,000 more travelers — from last year. Thanksgiving air travel is expected to be within 99 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

It’s a good idea to leave for the airport early. Long lines are likely at TSA checkpoints, and, “if possible, avoid checking a bag to allow for more flexibility if flights are delayed, or you need to reschedule,” AAA said.

The number of people who are traveling by bus, train, or cruise ship is up by 23 percent from last year, reaching 96 percent of the 2019 volume.