Everyone knows the motto “Good things come to those who wait.” Evidently, the same applies to those heading out to their Thanksgiving dinners, as those hot plates will sit on the other side of bumper-to-bumper traffic.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) cites that some 5.8 million Texans will travel 50 miles or more away from their home this holiday. That is 62,000 more travelers compared to last year, marking a record high for the Lone Star State.

Roughly 5.3 million of these travelers – yes, we’re looking at you – will embark on their turkey journeys via car. Meanwhile, 328,000 residents are predicted to take an airplane, and the remaining 140,000 will choose some other form of transportation (train, bus, etc.) Where are most of them heading? Researchers at AAA say the cities of Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio are hotspots during November.

“Thanksgiving travel is a true Texas tradition,” Galen Grillo, Vice President and General Manager of AAA Texas, said in a release. “From road trips along I-35 and I-10 to flights out of DFW and Houston, Texans go the distance to spend time with family and friends. It’s one of the busiest – and most meaningful – times to travel each year.”

Few, if any, eateries beat a home-cooked meal and a front row seat to family drama. Whether you’re hitting the road for the food, or just for the chisme, here are the worst and best times to drive during Thanksgiving week.

Worst time to travel in San Antonio and Texas during Thanksgiving week

It starts out tame. Monday, November 24, will be relatively congestion-free, AAA spokesperson Daniel Armbruster tells MySA. However, Tuesday, November 25, and Wednesday, November 26, will see the most packed roads. The worst time to travel by car in Texas on Tuesday is noon to 9 p.m. During the latter date, it is 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Based on last year’s data, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) specialist Laura Butterbrodt predicts Interstate 10 and Interstate 35 will be the busiest on Wednesday afternoon. Drivers may also face moderate traffic on Interstate 37. This day, the worst driving time is 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the AAA.

Minimal traffic impacts are predicted for Thursday, when people tend to spend the hours on the couch. Or in their kitchens. 

Once the festivities start winding down, certain San Antonio highways will become difficult to navigate. Butterbrodt says there will likely be an ordinary amount of traffic in the San Antonio area on I-10 on the evening of Friday, November 28, when folks like to go searching for retail deals. The AAA says the worst commuting time is 1 to 7 p.m.

Overcrowding could return to the roadways the following afternoon through the evening, Butterbrodt adds. Locals may want to avoid the highways between 1 and 8 p.m. based on AAA data. Conditions will likely be worse on I-35 on those same two days. Is anyone surprised?

Commuters should then prepare for major delays on I-35 on the evening of Sunday, November 30, according to TxDOT. Conditions will likely be better on I-10, so folks may want to take that route if possible. The AAA agrees that Sunday will see among the heaviest return traffic. In particular, the worst time to hit the streets that day is 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Construction, crashes, and weather can impact these predictions.

“Drivers should always be alert and prepared for unexpected impacts to their travel,” Butterbrodt told MySA. “Let’s make sure we all get to our destinations safely this holiday season.

Experts provide the best and worst times to travel in San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, and other Texas cities ahead of Thanksgiving in 2025. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Experts provide the best and worst times to travel in San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, and other Texas cities ahead of Thanksgiving in 2025. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Best time to travel in San Antonio and Texas during Thanksgiving week

The AAA lists the following periods as the best times to travel by car.

Tuesday, November 25: Anytime before noon
Wednesday, November 26: Anytime before 11 a.m.
Friday, November 28: Anytime before 11 a.m.
Saturday, November 19: Anytime before 10 a.m.
Sunday, November 30: Anytime before 11 a.m.
Monday, December 1: Anytime after 8 p.m.

This article originally published at Avoid driving at this time in San Antonio during Thanksgiving week.