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Not Surprising, But Expect Hectic Thanksgiving Traffic This Year

Author KC Atkins
Sure, it won't get California traffic bad around here, but be prepared for some chaos this holiday.

With just about a week left until Thanksgiving, odds are good that you’re prepping for a lot of travel soon. Unfortunately, it looks like many other Americans have the same idea for the holiday season. The American Automobile Association (AAA) just released its annual travel report which estimates over 55 million people will be on the move next week, creating a lot of Thanksgiving traffic.

This is an increase of 2.3% from last year’s report, so don’t be surprised if the roads seem more clogged than they used to. AAA broke down the predictions even further according to mode of transportation. An estimated 49 million Americans will travel by car, while just shy of 5 million will fly to their Thanksgiving getaway.

In the news release Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel, noted that this bump in Turkey Day travelers is in line with 2023 travel trends. “Travel demand has been strong all year,” says Twidale, “and AAA’s Thanksgiving forecast reflects that continued desire to get away and spend time with loved ones.”

With so many people on the road next week, the question remains: when is the best time to leave town and avoid Thanksgiving traffic? Unfortunately it doesn’t look like any day in particular is too much better than any of the rest. However, there are certain times you can aim for if you want to minimize the stress from your travel plans.

AAA estimates the worst travel time will be on Wednesday, November 22 between 2 PM and 6 PM. If you MUST wait until Thanksgiving eve to head out, AAA recommends you try to leave a bit earlier, ideally before 11 AM. But even then you’re expected to hit quite a bit of congestion on the way to Mamaw’s house.

As daunting as your Thanksgiving commute looks to be this year, there is a sliver of good news. This other AAA report notes that gas prices are significantly lower than they were this time last year. So while travel may eat up much of your time next week, at least it won’t be as brutal on your bank account. There’s something to be thankful for!

KC is bringing you the Workday Wind Down, afternoons on KML. He’s a Carolina boy making Carolina noise! When he's not slinging music and mouth sounds on the BIG 95.7 WKML, you can catch him at the gym, live wrestling shows, open mics, or wherever fine pasta is sold. KC is a big fan of self-expression, as his many tattoos will show you. KC's favorite pastime is making others laugh. In his mind, if he can bring a smile to your face then it's a day well spent. KC likes to write about TV and film, especially Spider-Man, and Fayetteville happenings.

A Look at Major Retailers Opting for Closure This Thanksgiving

Curious about which stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and whether they’ll kick off early Black Friday sales? The landscape has shifted in recent years, with a growing number of major retailers opting to keep their doors closed on Thanksgiving. This differs from the previous years of the traditional practice of launching in-store Black Friday deals on Thanksgiving. Since 2020, many retailers have chosen to remain closed and instead offer online deals.

The positive response from consumers in 2020 influenced retailers in 2021 to once again close on Thanksgiving Day. Some retailers, such as Target, took a bold stance by declaring a permanent end to in-store shopping on Thanksgiving. In 2022, Walmart’s CEO echoed this sentiment, affirming that staying open on Thanksgiving was now a thing of the past.

This shift towards closures on Thanksgiving Day reflects a changing consumer landscape and a commitment by employers to prioritize their workers. It’s a change from not too long ago when people were scarfing down Thanksgiving dinner to rush to their favorite stores for Black Friday deals.

Black Friday, once synonymous with the official start of the holiday shopping season, has evolved. Retailers now initiate their holiday sales much earlier, with some starting promotions as early as October, like Amazon Prime Days. The focus is now on a mix of online and in-store deals spread out over a longer period.

Besides pleasing shoppers, closing on Thanksgiving can be seen by some as a smart move for businesses and the public image of retailers. This strategic move aligns with the trend of prioritizing a work-life balance and catering to changing societal expectations.

Take a look at some of the major retailers that will be closed on Thanksgiving below.

  • Walmart

    Despite its history of drawing massive crowds on Thanksgiving, Walmart, has confirmed that it will once again be closed on Thanksgiving Day in 2023.  On October 9, Walmart’s CEO, John Furner, officially announced that the retail giant will maintain its tradition of staying closed on Thanksgiving Day for the fourth consecutive year, as reported by USA Today.

  • Best Buy

    In a move to provide employees with some well-deserved time off, Best Buy has announced plans to shut its doors on Thanksgiving. If you’re eager to snag deals, the retailer is set to kick off its Black Friday sales on Friday, November 17, as reported by Chain Store Age. The website will be available on Thanksgiving, offering you the opportunity to browse and shop.

  • Target

    Target made waves as one of the early adopters among big-box retailers, opting to remain closed on Thanksgiving in 2020. Continuing this trend, the retailer will once again keep its doors shut on Thanksgiving Day in 2023, marking the fourth consecutive year. A press release from 2021 highlighted the overwhelmingly positive response to this decision, stating, “The response was so positive that we’ll carry it forward this year, keeping our Target stores closed all day long on Thanksgiving Day. This is just one example of how our evolving strategy is meeting the needs of our business and our guests.” For eager shoppers, Target’s website already has Black Friday deals across various categories, including electronics, toys, kitchen products, and cleaning supplies.

  • The Home Depot

    Home Depot is set to take a breather on Thanksgiving Day, closing its doors for the holiday. However, for shoppers looking for Black Friday savings, the good news is that the deals will be extended throughout the entire month of November. The main sale launches online on Thanksgiving Day, according to The Krazy Coupon Lady. Come Black Friday, the store will open its doors at 6 a.m.

  • Costco

    Costco members likely won’t be surprised that the membership warehouse club is closed for Thanksgiving Day. It’s consistent with its practice for most major holidays. While closed on Thanksgiving, Costco is scheduled to open on Black Friday at 9 a.m. See the store’s full list of holiday closures here.

  • Lowe's

    Lowe’s adheres to its longstanding tradition by closing its stores on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, as shared on the company’s website. This decision offers customers and associates time to celebrate with loved ones. On Black Friday, Lowe’s stores will open early for those ready to begin their post-Thanksgiving shopping.

  • Sam's Club

    Sam’s Club, affiliated with Walmart, will follow the lead of its parent company and close on Thanksgiving. However, Sam’s Club isn’t leaving shoppers without options. They will host a Thanksgiving Day online event. This virtual event starts on Turkey Day and continues through Saturday, November 26, 2023, encompassing the day after Black Friday.

  • JCPenney

    In an acknowledgment of their employees during the holiday season, JCPenney has chosen to close on Thanksgiving Day. The retailer will open its doors at 5 a.m. on Black Friday. According to Chain Store Age, JCPenney’s full Black Friday ad will go live online on the same day and remain available throughout the month. Shoppers can anticipate weekly releases of select Black Friday deals both online and in-store throughout November.

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Author KC Atkins
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