BALTIMORE, MD – Nearly 1.5 million Marylanders are projected to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, marking a nearly 2% increase from 2023 and surpassing pre-pandemic levels from 2019, according to AAA. Most travelers, over 91%, will be driving, with air travel and other modes like buses, trains, and cruises also seeing significant gains.
Road Travel Remains Dominant
AAA estimates that more than 1.36 million Marylanders will hit the road, a modest increase of nearly 2% from last year. Lower gas prices compared to last year provide added incentive for drivers. On Wednesday, Maryland’s average gas price was $3.19 per gallon, nine cents lower than the same time in 2023. While prices have trended upward over the past week, they remain lower than last year’s levels.
“Drivers, including the 1.36 million Marylanders who will take to the roads, will have something extra to be thankful for this holiday,” said Ragina Cooper Ali, spokeswoman for AAA in Maryland and Washington, D.C. “Gas prices in Maryland are trending about ten cents less than last year.”
Air Travel Sees Steady Growth
Over 101,000 Marylanders are expected to travel by air, reflecting a slight increase from 2023 and a notable 9% rise from pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport, which serves over 27 million travelers annually, was recently named the favorite airport in AAA Club Alliance’s inaugural Members’ Choice Awards. Ease of access, logical layout, and efficient TSA processing contributed to its recognition.
Travelers should prepare for crowded airports, particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after the holiday, which TSA predicts will be among the busiest travel days. Nationally, TSA expects to screen 18.3 million passengers during the holiday period.
Alternate Travel Modes Gain Traction
More than 28,000 Marylanders will travel by bus, train, or cruise this Thanksgiving, a 10% jump from 2023 and 2019 levels. While these modes remain the slowest to recover from the pandemic, the growth indicates increasing confidence among travelers.
Safety Emphasized on the Roads
AAA urges drivers to prioritize safety during the holiday travel period, which historically sees an uptick in roadside emergencies. In 2023, AAA assisted over 560,000 stranded drivers nationwide during the Thanksgiving holiday week, including 13,000 in Maryland.
Maryland’s “Move Over” law requires drivers to slow down and switch lanes when approaching emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and disabled vehicles displaying hazard lights. The law aims to protect roadside workers and motorists.
“Holiday travel provides ample opportunity for distraction,” said Ali. “AAA is urging everyone to slow down and pay attention so we can all reach our destinations safely.”
Travel Forecast at a Glance
| Travel Mode | 2024 Forecast | 2023 Actual | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Travelers | 1,495,345 | 1,467,306 | 1.91% |
| Automobile | 1,365,813 | 1,341,004 | 1.85% |
| Air | 101,188 | 100,608 | 0.58% |
| Other (Bus, Train, Cruise) | 28,344 | 25,693 | 10.32% |
Methodology Behind the Forecast
AAA’s travel forecast is developed in partnership with IHS Markit and incorporates data on economic conditions, gas prices, airline travel, and historical travel patterns. The 2024 Thanksgiving travel period, running from November 26 to December 2, extends beyond the traditional holiday timeframe to reflect changing travel behaviors.
Key Takeaways
Travelers across Maryland and the nation are returning to pre-pandemic levels of activity, with increased volumes expected on roads, in airports, and across alternate modes of travel. Lower gas prices and a desire to reconnect with family and friends continue to drive these trends.
