CHECK WITH YOUR AIRLINE BECAUSE THE BUSIEST TRAVEL TIME OF THE YEAR IS ALMOST HERE. OF COURSE, WE’RE TALKING ABOUT THE HOLIDAY SEASON, THANKSGIVING, JUST TEN DAYS AWAY. AND THIS MORNING WE HAVE THE NEW TRAVEL FORECAST FROM TRIPLE A. YEAH. FIRST WARNING TRAFFIC EXPERT MEAGHAN MACKEY IS HERE NOW. BREAKING IT ALL DOWN. AND MEGAN, THE AGENCY SAYS THAT THIS REALLY COULD BE A RECORD YEAR ON THE ROADS. YEAH. AND THEY SAY THAT IT COULD SET THAT RECORD. BUT YOU KNOW THEY DO SAY THAT EVERY YEAR. SO WE WILL SEE. THAT’S ACCORDING TO TRIPLE A. THEY SAY 4.65 MILLION FLORIDIANS ARE EXPECTED TO TRAVEL FOR NEXT WEEK’S HOLIDAY. AND THAT’S CLOSE TO A 3% INCREASE FROM 2020 FOR MOST TRAVELERS, ABOUT 4.2 MILLION PLAN TO DRIVE AND ALMOST 300,000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO FLY, AND 87,000 OTHERS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORTATION, LIKE A TRAIN. GOOD NEWS IF YOU’RE ONE OF THOSE DRIVERS. GAS PRICES ARE DOWN. THE STATE AVERAGE RIGHT NOW IS 2.92 PER GALLON IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. LAKE COUNTY IS THE CHEAPEST AT 2.88. FLAGLER IS SITTING ON THE HIGH END AT 2.96. NOW, IF YOU ARE RENTING A CAR, ORLANDO RANKS IN THE TOP FIVE FOR RENTAL DEMAND. BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS RENTAL RATES ARE ALSO DOWN TO 15% LESS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR. IF YOU ARE DRIVING, HERE ARE THE BEST AND WORST TIMES TO HIT THE ROAD. TRIPLE A SAYS TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NEXT WEEK WILL BE OVERALL THE MOST CONGESTED. THEY SUGGEST AVOIDING AFTERNOON TRAVEL ALTOGETHER AND TRYING TO LEAVE IN THE MORNING AFTER THANKSGIVING MORNINGS ARE STILL YOUR BEST BET UNLESS YOU’RE COMING BACK ON DECEMBER 1ST. THAT DAY, TRIPLE A SAYS THE BEST TIME TO DRIVE IS JUST AFTER 8 P.M. AND NEXT WEDNESDAY. THAT WILL BE, OF COURSE, LIVE AT THE AIRPORT. I DO THIS EVERY YEAR TALKING ABOUT NOT ONLY THE AIRPORT, BUT ALSO THE ROADS. AND THEN THEY’LL ALSO BE HAVING SOME AFTERNOON COVERAGE, HOPEFULLY FROM CHOPPER TWO,
AAA forecasts increased travel for Thanksgiving in Florida
Updated: 8:38 AM EST Nov 17, 2025
AAA has released its travel forecast for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, predicting that 4.65 million Floridians will be traveling next week, marking a nearly 3% increase from 2024. The majority of travelers, approximately 4.2 million, plan to drive, while almost 300,000 are expected to fly and 87,000 will use other modes of transportation.Gas prices are favorable for drivers, with the state average currently at $2.92 per gallon. In Central Florida, Lake County offers the cheapest gas at $2.88, while Flagler County is on the higher end at $2.96. For those renting cars, Orlando ranks among the top five for rental demand; however, rental rates have decreased by 15% compared to last year.AAA advises travelers to avoid driving during the afternoon on Tuesday and Wednesday next week, as these will be the most congested times.Instead, they suggest leaving in the morning.After Thanksgiving, mornings remain the best time to travel, except for Dec. 1, when AAA recommends driving after 8 p.m.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
AAA has released its travel forecast for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, predicting that 4.65 million Floridians will be traveling next week, marking a nearly 3% increase from 2024.
The majority of travelers, approximately 4.2 million, plan to drive, while almost 300,000 are expected to fly and 87,000 will use other modes of transportation.
Gas prices are favorable for drivers, with the state average currently at $2.92 per gallon.
In Central Florida, Lake County offers the cheapest gas at $2.88, while Flagler County is on the higher end at $2.96.
For those renting cars, Orlando ranks among the top five for rental demand; however, rental rates have decreased by 15% compared to last year.
AAA advises travelers to avoid driving during the afternoon on Tuesday and Wednesday next week, as these will be the most congested times.
Instead, they suggest leaving in the morning.
After Thanksgiving, mornings remain the best time to travel, except for Dec. 1, when AAA recommends driving after 8 p.m.