Thanksgiving travel expectations and gas prices

WISCONSIN (CIVIC MEDIA) – AAA projects that 1.65 million Wisconsinites will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving holiday period, which runs from Tuesday (November 25) to Monday, December 1.

This marks a 2% increase over last year and sets a new record for Thanksgiving travel in the Badger State. Nationwide, AAA expects 81.8 million Americans to travel for Thanksgiving. That’s an increase of 1.6 million travelers compared to 2024.

AAA projects that nearly 73 million Americans will travel by car this Thanksgiving, representing almost 90% of all holiday travelers. In Wisconsin, more than 1.45 million residents will drive to their destinations. That number could rise if travelers opt to avoid potential flight disruptions.

AAA expects 6 million Americans to fly domestically this Thanksgiving, a 2% increase from 2024. In Wisconsin, over 140,000 residents will take to the skies. Given recent flight reductions, that number could end up being lower as flights get cancelled or travelers make other plans. Domestic airfares are similar to last year, averaging $700 for a round-trip. Flying on Thanksgiving Day can offer savings but return flights on Sunday and Monday tend to be the most expensive. Some travelers are adjusting their schedules to avoid peak travel days.

Travel by bus, train, and cruise is expected to rise 8.5% nationally, reaching nearly 2.5 million travelers. In Wisconsin, more than 50,000 residents will travel by these modes. Cruise travel continues to surge, with AAA projecting 20.7 million U.S. cruise passengers in 2025 and 21.7 million in 2026. Thanksgiving cruises to the Caribbean are especially popular for their warm weather and all-inclusive appeal.

Thanksgiving remains the busiest travel holiday of the year, surpassing both Memorial Day and Independence Day.

If you plan to drive yourself

Average gasoline prices in Wisconsin have fallen 4.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.73 a gallon, according to GasBuddy’s survey of over 3,000 stations in Wisconsin. Prices in Wisconsin are 9.8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 12 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.  According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Wisconsin was priced at $2.39 a gallon yesterday while the most expensive was $3.29 a gallon, a difference of 90 cents per gallon.

The national average price of gasoline is unchanged in the last week, averaging $3.03 a gallon. The national average is down two cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 2.5 cents per gallon higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country. The national average price of diesel has increased 0.8 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $3.78 per gallon.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy said, “Ahead of the peak of Thanksgiving travel, the national average has remained relatively steady, holding close to where it’s been for the last few weeks.” He added, “With refinery maintenance wrapping up, we’re likely to see more relief soon, particularly in the Great Lakes and West Coast regions. While Washington and Oregon may still see issues related to the Olympic pipeline shutdown, the broader outlook is promising— especially with oil prices dipping below $60 per barrel. Many states could begin to see further declines in the weeks ahead, just in time for the holidays.”

---