The Hidden Dangers of Thanksgiving Travel

Happy Thanksgiving from CD Law! This week we want to express how grateful we are for our amazing clients and our dedicated team. Being able to serve our community and bring justice to those who deserve it is something we’re grateful to do day in and day out. Thank you to everyone who works so hard to make CD Law what is and thank you to everyone who has trusted us with your cases and your stories!

With the holiday right around the corner, millions of Americans will be traveling, and that’s where hidden dangers come in. Unfortunately, Thanksgiving week is consistently one of the highest traffic-accident weeks of the entire year, with packed highways, tired drivers, unpredictable weather, and some of the worst congestion all happening at once.

Record-Breaking Travel Week

The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts that this will be a record-breaking Thanksgiving travel season. In 2025, about 81.8 million Americans are projected to travel at least 50 miles between Nov. 25 and Dec. 1 which is about 1.6 million more than last year. Nearly 90% of them (around 73 million people) will be driving. With so many vehicles on the highways, it’s more important than ever to stay alert and stay safe.

Holiday Traffic & Crash Risks

Transportation data firm INRIX expects the most severe congestion on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons as people hit the road. AAA also warns that Sunday Nov. 30 will be extremely busy with millions returning home. Popular destinations like Anaheim/Los Angeles and San Francisco are on AAA’s Top Thanksgiving destinations list again this year, so routes in and out of those areas will be especially packed.

While Thanksgiving Day itself can actually be calmer on the roads, Samsara shares that safety risk jumps sharply after the holiday. Crash rates rise about 13% over Thanksgiving week, then spike 65% higher on the Sunday after Thanksgiving compared to a typical Sunday. Weather conditions compound the danger: nearly half of all winter crashes happen in the afternoon or evening, nighttime fatal crash rates are about three times higher than daytime, and cold temperatures can quickly make roads slick.

Safe Driving Tips

To help you stay safe on the road, here are some smart tips for Thanksgiving travel:

• Start early: Leave early in the day to avoid peak traffic. AAA advises hitting the road before noon when possible. Less drivers on the road reduces the risk of accident

• Drive in daylight: Plan to do most of your driving during daylight. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reports that the nighttime fatality rate on the nation’s roadways is three times higher than the daytime rate, and 76 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur at night. If you must drive after dark, stay extra alert and well-rested.

• Pick your travel days: If you can, avoid driving mid-Wednesday or Sunday afternoon. These are consistently the busiest times. Traveling on Thanksgiving Day itself or a few days in advance often means lighter traffic.

• Check your vehicle: Before you leave, top off fluids, check tire pressure, and make sure your battery is healthy. AAA recommends checking your tires and battery before a road trip. A simple maintenance check can help avoid breakdowns in cold weather and potential accidents.

• Stay sober and alert: Driving under the influence is illegal! Wear your seat belt, make sure your passengers do too, and keep phones out of reach. Plan for a sober driver or rideshare if you’re going to Thanksgiving festivities involving alcohol. AAA and Mothers Against Drunk Driving want to remind everyone that during Thanksgiving holidays, about one-third of traffic fatalities involve drunk driving.

Following these tips can help reduce your risk of a crash, not eliminate it. If you are injured due to someone else’s roadway negligence, call our firm for guidance.

Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!

Our Thanksgiving wish is for everyone to safely enjoy their time with loved ones. We don’t want you to need us, but as always, we are just one call away in case of a holiday accident. They can happen, and we can help!

Safe travels and happy Thanksgiving from all of us at CD Law!