By Sam StevensonShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThanksgiving 2025 is set to bring record-breaking traffic congestion to California, with 9.6 million people expected to drive across the state.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday are expected to be the busiest days, and drivers have been told to plan for extended delays.
Police have called for patience on the roads as they increase patrols, but weather is forecast to be calm with no rain or snow.
Why It Matters
California's roadways are predicted to experience significant traffic volume this week, with the surge in road users representing an increase of 200,000 travelers compared to last year, compounding the annual challenges posed by the year's busiest period of holiday travel.
Officials warn that heavy congestion, increased accident risk, and higher gas prices will impact millions, making preparation and patience essential for Californians traveling to join family and friends.
...What To Know
Millions are set to hit the roads in California this Thanksgiving week, beginning Tuesday and continuing through Sunday.
According to AAA, the number of travelers marks a new post-pandemic record, part of a national trend that will see 81.8 million Americans journey at least 50 miles from home—most of them by car.
In California alone, 9.6 million travelers are projected to hit the roads, up from 9.4 million last year.
The heaviest congestion is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, as well as Sunday evening when many travelers return home, per KTLA.
The California Highway Patrol will increase patrols, watching for speeders, impaired, and distracted drivers, particularly since 36 people died and over 1,100 were arrested for driving under the influence over Thanksgiving last year.
“Very often, we see that people who crash are rushing. We also tend to see that when people rush, we have more road rage. So have patience," California Highway Patrol spokesperson Sergeant Andrew Barclay said.
AAA and INRIX, a transportation analytics company, report that corridors such as I-5 North (Los Angeles to Bakersfield), I-15 North (San Diego to Palm Springs), and US-101 North (San Francisco to Santa Rosa) will experience travel times up to 147 percent longer than normal during peak hours.
The worst travel windows are expected to be:
- Tuesday: Noon – 9 p.m.
- Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Drivers are encouraged to leave early in the day and plan for extended delays.
The weather this year is expected to be calm, with no rain or snow in the forecast, offering a rare reprieve from travel complications typically caused by inclement conditions.
“We lucked out,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Dylan Flynn. “There’s a pretty persistent ridge of high pressure along the coast. There could be clouds in the morning, but there’s no real chance of rain.”
...What People Are Saying
California Highway Patrol spokesperson Sergeant Andrew Barclay said: “Really, to be safe, what it really comes down to is that you have to give yourself a lot of time to get where you’re going, and you need to be patient. You’re not getting anywhere fast.”
He added: “My best advice to people is that as we get closer to Thanksgiving, we’ll see more people traveling. So be prepared and plan ahead.”
AAA spokesperson Doug Johnson said: “Thanksgiving is annually the busiest travel holiday there is. Most people fill up before they go to Grandma’s. It’s usually more expensive before the holiday than after it, simply because of the supply and demand.”
Doug Shupe, Auto Club of Southern California spokesperson, said: “Southern Californians go the distance to spend time with family and friends. This holiday is one of the busiest—and most meaningful—times to travel each year.”
What Happens Next
Caltrans will suspend all non-emergency road construction to help relieve congestion, but authorities warn that the sheer volume of vehicles guarantees significant slowdowns statewide.
The California Highway Patrol will begin its holiday travel enforcement period at 6:01 p.m. Wednesday and continue through midnight Monday to monitor for unsafe driving behaviors and ensure seat belt compliance.
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