With 2025 finally behind us and travel slowing for a while, it is a good time to start preparing for the 2026 travel season.
There was a time when travel, specifically air travel, was reserved for the well-to-do. As increased consumer demand drove up supply, the need to accumulate wealth for traveling by airplane declined sharply. However, traveling by land, air, or sea presents additional challenges beyond just cost.
During certain times of the year, traveling from one destination to the next involves overcrowded airports, delayed airline flights, vehicle traffic on the highways, and millions of grumpy passengers, no matter which direction you’re headed. To help maintain your love for travel, or just your sanity during the trip, it’s beneficial to be aware of the five worst travel days in the United States of America to plan accordingly.
1. Before and After Christmas (December 23-26)
The annual stats from AAA are in, and a record-setting 122 million Americans were expected to hit the road or sky during the end-of-year holiday season of 2025. That astonishing figure includes those traveling by plane, train, and automobile over the last two weeks of the year. Because of the prevalence of holiday travel, the two days before and the day after Christmas consistently rank as the worst travel days of the year.
The problem lies in the rapid increase in the number of people at the airport, the train station, and the freeway simultaneously. It disrupts what would otherwise be ‘normal’ traffic and flow, slowing everyone down and creating a less-than-ideal situation in most major hubs across the country. The excess demand also pushes prices up, from gas for the car to a window seat on the plane.
If you’re planning to travel this holiday season, be prepared for these potential pitfalls on the busiest days.
Pro Tip: When planning for the 2026 winter holidays, travel experts suggest booking flights in early September to save money. If you aren’t able to book that far in advance, you may be able to score a good deal by waiting until right before your heavy travel day to purchase a ticket for your flight. You can also consider how to use your travel rewards credit card throughout the year to rack up valuable points before the holidays roll around.
2. The Day Before Thanksgiving (November 25th)
Around the Thanksgiving holiday, most people will hit the roads to visit family and friends. Airports will be less crowded during this period than during other major travel seasons, but travelers should be aware of potential delays. For 2025, AAA reports that nearly 82 million people planned to travel 50 miles or more, with the majority traveling on Wednesday before the four-day holiday weekend.
Pro tip: Anyone who plans to travel for Thanksgiving should avoid Wednesday at all costs. Research suggests that the afternoon of the day before the holiday is often the worst on the roads, with delays up to four times longer than a typical day. Travel on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday) if possible. If you’re planning to fly, AAA recommends flying on the Monday before Thanksgiving to secure the lowest fares.
3. The Day Before Independence Day (July 3rd)
In addition to the bustling holiday season, American travelers encounter an uncomfortable number of fellow travelers on the road and in the skies during major summer holidays. Third on the list is Independence Day, followed closely by Labor Day weekend. On Independence Day (July 4th), the airports and train stations are less congested than on other major US holidays, but the roads and waterways are packed to the brim.
For instance, AAA reports that nearly 72 million people were expected to travel on July 3rd and 4th in 2025. Trips to see fireworks, visits to friends and family for a BBQ-fueled get-together or other events, and visits to national monuments or other historic sites all contribute to traffic congestion.
Pro Tip: Plan to travel the day of the Fourth of July holiday, not the day before, particularly if you are driving. For those flying, same-day routes are less congested and can be cheaper on Thanksgiving, so plan accordingly.
4. Friday Before Memorial Day (May 22nd)
Creeping up on the 4th of July travel statistics, Memorial Day weekend is another difficult time to be on the road. In 2025, an estimated 45 million travelers took off for a three-day weekend, starting early on the Friday before the holiday. Most people will drive their cars or RVs when traveling for Memorial Day, making major highways crowded for those planning to get away in 2026.
Pro Tip: Travelers can avoid the mess and frustration of this frequently traveled day by waiting until Saturday of the holiday weekend to hit the road. Also, traveling by plane incurs only minor delays compared to joining the roughly 39 million drivers. Avoid leaving town on Thursday or Friday afternoon if possible, and plan to return early on Memorial Day (Monday) to avoid the chaos.
5. Friday Before Labor Day (September 4th)
Labor Day weekend in August/September each year rounds out the list of the five worst travel days for Americans, as it is seen as the last hurrah for families with children in school. Before the school year begins for many, parents plan family vacations that often end on Labor Day weekend.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), travel was expected to remain steady over the Labor Day weekend in 2025, resulting in heavy traffic. Traffic on the roads when returning from the countless beaches across the country, combined with an increase in groups of three or more flying home, makes for a busy, typically delayed travel day.
Pro tip: The worst day to travel during this specific holiday weekend is Friday afternoon. See if you can get out of dodge Thursday evening or before the sun rises Friday morning to help beat your fellow travelers to the punch. Plan to return early on Monday to beat some of the traffic.
Other Busy Travel Holidays for the Year 2026
Other holidays throughout the year, including Easter (April 5th) and New Year’s Eve (December 31st), also bring travel challenges and significant delays, particularly to those planning to drive to their destination. Avoiding traffic jams and the frustration that comes with being stuck on a highway can be your best travel plan. Be sure to travel on the popular holiday itself, if possible, or go a few days in advance if you want to skip the madness.
Final Thoughts on Holiday Traveling Around the Busiest Days of the Year
Travel is no longer an unattainable luxury for Americans, thanks to more affordable ways to get from place to place, and more individuals and families are taking advantage of it. You can avoid some of the headaches of the busiest travel days of the year by planning your next trip well in advance and shifting your dates to bypass the worst days.