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Thanksgiving is here, marking the official start of the holiday season and a perfect time to review holiday travel safety tips.
For many Americans, the long weekend ushers in favorite traditions—reconnecting with family, exploring sparkling Christmas light displays and kicking off holiday shopping.
Early forecasts show that this year’s Thanksgiving travel season may be the busiest yet. NerdWallet reports that U.S. Thanksgiving flight bookings are already 2.2% higher than last year, while Kayak notes a 10% jump in flight searches compared to 2024. With more people expected on the roads and in the skies, thoughtful preparation and a few trusted holiday travel safety tips can make your trip safer, smoother, and far less stressful.
At Axcet HR Solutions, our team of health and safety experts in risk management understands the importance of safe travel—especially during high-demand times.
Whether you’re driving or flying, these expert insights will help you navigate the holiday travel season confidently.
This year, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 27, marking the start of a long weekend when millions of Americans travel to celebrate with family and friends.
With so many hitting the road or taking to the skies, timing is key to avoiding congestion.
Picking the right travel day is a key element of smart holiday travel safety tips. For the 2025 season, the data suggest:
The day before Thanksgiving remains among the busiest travel days on the road and in the air.
The Sunday after Thanksgiving is often the single busiest travel day of the year for air travel.
Conversely, Thanksgiving Day itself often sees lighter airport crowds and fewer road backups when compared with surrounding days.
By understanding these patterns, you can apply effective holiday travel safety tips by choosing less-crowded windows, avoiding the highest-stress days and planning your journey accordingly.
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If you’ll be driving this year, applying holiday travel safety tips means not just maintaining your vehicle, but also timing your departure smartly. According to traffic-data sources, here are the best and worst times to be out on the road:
Wednesday, November 26
Thanksgiving Day, November 27
Friday, November 28 (Black Friday)
Sunday, November 30
In addition to planning your departure time to avoid the rush, consider these road trip holiday travel safety tips:
Ensure your vehicle is ready by checking tire pressure, fluids and wipers. Carry a spare key and an emergency kit with essentials like jumper cables, blankets and a flashlight.
Apps like Waze and Google Maps help you stay ahead of traffic with real-time updates.
Bring water and snacks to keep energy levels up. A well-packed car, including essentials like chargers and hand sanitizer, ensures a more comfortable trip.
Long drives can be tiring. Trade off with another driver if possible, and take breaks every couple of hours to rest. If you’re driving alone, pull over at a safe, well-lit location if you feel fatigued, and avoid isolated areas.
Flying? Many of the same holiday travel safety tips apply—plus some travel-mode–specific strategies.
Early booking helps secure better rates, and morning flights tend to be less affected by delays.
Travel insurance is valuable during peak seasons. Scheduling longer layovers provides extra time for connections if flights are delayed.
Arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international. Use your airline’s app to track bags and access updates.
Pre-screening programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry help reduce wait times in security.
By incorporating these transit-specific tips alongside your overall holiday travel safety tips, you’re giving your travel plan a robust foundation for safety and ease.
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The night before Thanksgiving is an important moment in your travel safety planning. It’s known for heavy social gatherings, nightlife resurgence, and increased risk of impaired driving.
As a trusted partner in safety and risk management, Axcet HR Solutions encourages everyone to prioritize safety during the holidays. By planning ahead and making responsible decisions, you can help ensure a joyous and safe Thanksgiving for yourself and your loved ones.
At Axcet HR Solutions, our team of safety and risk management professionals is committed to equipping you with actionable and timely advice. From the car ride to the airport to final arrival home, treating your journey as part of your safety ecosystem is critical.
As Thanksgiving kicks off the broader holiday travel season, we hope these holiday travel safety tips help you reach your destination with ease and return home ready for the season’s joy, not exhausted from travel chaos.
From all of us at Axcet HR Solutions, safe travels and a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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