The map for a traffic-free Thanksgiving 2024 in NY State: What day and times to travel to always arrive on time?

Millions of Americans are planning to jump on a plane, a train or in their car to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday period. Around 80 million according to AAA estimates, around 1.7 million more than last year.

For those traveling by car, these numbers should be a reminder that you will not be alone on the roads, and that you’ll want to plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time as you can expect long lines at the airport or traffic jams on the road. For drivers in New York, holiday traffic can be particularly disrupting near major cities, and for those looking to save some time behind the wheel, we have compiled some tips.

At the state-wide level, Governor Kathy Hochul’s office announced that the state would pause all repairs on the motorways, to avoid even more traffic materializing in areas under construction.

For those around New York City, officials have encouraged residents who can, to use public transportation, with the city already releasing a gridlock alert for Tuesday.

Thanksgiving travel tips: What are the best and worst days to drive?

Since the vast majority of Americans, 70 million will be traveling by car, various routes should be examined, as those that typically take longer, may not be an attractive choice when major highways are going to be stuffed with traffic. It is probably still best to assume there will be more cars on those roads as well.

INRIX and AAA say that past traffic trends point to Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons as the worst times to start your drive. Instead, these organizations recommend waiting until Thanksgiving day, if possible. “The best time to hit the road is Thanksgiving Day itself when interstates and highways are typically clear,” reads the planning advice. As for the return, an early start on Sunday is recommended for those that need to get back before work on Monday.