Holiday Travel Guide 2025: Essential Tips for Thanksgiving and Christmas

Over the River and Through the Woods

And we’re off! Another holiday season is upon us, and with Thanksgiving just around the corner, we’re kicking off what might be the busiest travel season of the year.

Whether you’re heading to Grandma’s house, flying across the country, or just making a quick jaunt to a friend’s Friendsgiving celebration, the holidays between Thanksgiving and New Year’s can turn even the most seasoned traveler into a stress ball.

But it doesn’t have to be that way! With a little preparation and the right mindset, you can navigate holiday travel like a pro. Let’s break down everything you need to know for car travel, air travel, and even those “quick” trips that somehow never seem as quick as we think they’ll be.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I believe will genuinely help make your holiday travel safer and easier.

Long-Distance Car Travel: When You’re Hitting the Road

There’s something almost magical about a road trip during the holidays. The scenery, the anticipation, maybe some holiday music on the radio. But before you romanticize that journey too much, let’s make sure you’re actually prepared for it.

Before You Leave: The Pre-Trip Checklist

Your car is about to become your home for several hours, so treat it right! Schedule a pre-trip inspection at least a week before you leave. Have your mechanic check your battery (cold weather is murder on batteries), tire pressure and tread depth, all fluid levels, brakes, lights, and windshield wipers.

November and December weather can be unpredictable, and the last thing you want is to be stranded on the side of the highway in freezing temperatures.

Speaking of tires, don’t forget about your spare. When’s the last time you checked it? Make sure it’s properly inflated and that you have all the tools you need to actually change a tire if necessary.

Pack Your Emergency Kit

This isn’t being paranoid—it’s being prepared. Your emergency kit should include:

• Jumper cables or a portable battery jump starter
• First aid kit with any personal medications
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Blankets (one per passenger)
• Non-perishable snacks and bottled water
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Bag of sand or kitty litter (for traction if you get stuck)
• Phone charger (preferably one that plugs into your car)
• Basic tools and duct tape
• Reflective triangles or flares

Yes, that’s a lot. But it all fits in a storage bin in your trunk, and you’ll be incredibly grateful if you need any of it.

Don’t want to piece everything together yourself? The Everlit Survival Car Emergency Kit has nearly everything you need in one package—first aid supplies, tire inflator, jumper cables, emergency tools, reflective triangle, space blankets, and more, all for under $100. It’s comprehensive, organized, and ready to go. If your holiday travels take you through rural or remote areas where another car might not come along for a while, consider adding a standalone portable jump starter like the NOCO Boost or WOLFBOX. These compact battery packs can jump-start your car without needing another vehicle—worth their weight in gold when you’re miles from nowhere.

Route Planning in the Digital Age

Sure, GPS is wonderful, but don’t rely on it exclusively. Download offline maps to your phone in case you lose signal. Check the weather forecast for your entire route, not just your destination. A sunny day at home doesn’t mean clear sailing all the way there.

Plan your stops ahead of time. On long drives, take a 15-minute break every two hours. Your body (and your mind) needs it. Use apps like GasBuddy to find the cheapest gas along your route, and make note of rest stops with decent facilities.

Check the weather forecast for your entire route, not just your destination. A sunny day at home doesn’t mean clear sailing all the way there. For additional safe driving strategies and preparation tips, AAA’s road trip planning guide is an excellent resource.

The Drive Itself: Stay Alert, Stay Safe

Start your trip well-rested. I know you’re tempted to leave at 3 AM to “beat the traffic,” but if you’re not a morning person, you’re just trading traffic for drowsy driving—and the latter is far more dangerous.

Avoid driving during peak traffic times if possible. For Thanksgiving, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons are nightmares, as is Sunday afternoon on the return trip. If you can leave early morning or late evening, you’ll thank yourself.

Share the driving if you can. Two drivers mean you can cover more ground safely, and everyone arrives less exhausted. Keep healthy snacks in the car—not just junk food. Protein-rich options like nuts or string cheese will keep your energy stable better than a bag of chips.

And please, put your phone away. If you must use it, use voice commands or have a passenger handle it. Text messages and emails can wait. Arriving alive is more important than arriving quickly.

Air Travel: Navigating the Friendly Skies During the Not-So-Friendly Season

Holiday air travel is its own special brand of chaos. Packed planes, weather delays, and stressed-out travelers everywhere you look. But with the right approach, you can glide through it relatively unscathed.

Booking Smart

If you haven’t booked yet, do it now. Holiday flights get expensive fast, and good seats disappear even faster. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday are the busiest travel days for Thanksgiving. If you have flexibility, fly on Thanksgiving Day itself or the Saturday after—flights are often cheaper and less crowded.

Sign up for flight alerts through your airline’s app and register for TSA PreCheck even if you travel semi-regularly. The time and stress these programs save during the holiday rush is worth every penny.

Packing Like a Pro

Check your airline’s baggage policies before you pack. Fees add up, and the last thing you want is a surprise $35 charge at the counter. Pack smart by rolling your clothes instead of folding them (saves space and reduces wrinkles), and wear your bulkiest shoes and jacket on the plane.

Keep essentials in your carry-on: medications, valuables, a change of clothes, and anything you’d be devastated to lose if your luggage went on an unexpected vacation without you. Pack snacks, because airplane food is expensive and often disappointing, and bring an empty water bottle to fill after security.

Airport Navigation

Arrive early. For domestic flights during the holidays, get there at least two hours before departure. For international, make it three. Yes, you might end up waiting, but better that than sprinting through the terminal in a panic.

Download your airline’s app and check in online exactly 24 hours before your flight to get the best seat selection. Keep your boarding pass on your phone, but screenshot it too in case you lose internet connection.

At security, have everything ready. Liquids in a clear bag, laptop out, shoes easy to slip off. The people behind you will appreciate your efficiency, and you’ll appreciate the reduced stress.

Dealing with Delays and Cancellations

I’ll never forget one Christmas. A major snowstorm had shut down much of the country, and the airport was absolute chaos. I had never seen anything like it. Baggage was piled up in every nook and cranny you could imagine. People were sleeping on floors, sprawled across chairs, camped out wherever they could find space, all desperately waiting for their flights.

But here’s the thing: we were lucky. Our flight was on time. The plane was practically empty. Why? Because we’d figured out what many holiday travelers miss—traveling ON Christmas Day instead of the days before is often smooth sailing. Everyone else is trying to get there before the holiday; we were traveling during it.

Weather happens, especially during the holidays. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, immediately get in line at the customer service desk AND call the airline. Often you’ll get through on the phone before you reach the front of the line. Be polite but firm, and know your rights—if the delay is the airline’s fault (not weather), they may owe you meal vouchers or hotel accommodations.

But the bigger lesson? Strategic timing can make all the difference. If your family is flexible about when you celebrate, traveling on the actual holiday can mean cheaper fares, emptier planes, and far less stress.

Short-Distance Travel: Just Because It’s Close Doesn’t Mean You Can Wing It

Let me tell you a story. One Thanksgiving, we were at my in-laws’ house for dinner. It was a beautiful day—sunny, crisp, perfect fall weather. We settled in for a lovely meal, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Then, as we sat around the table eating turkey and stuffing, we looked outside and noticed something: it had started to snow.

No big deal, right? It’s only about a thirty minute drive home. We know these roads.

Except by the time we finished dinner and packed up, that light dusting had turned into a full-blown snowstorm. The roads hadn’t been cleared yet. What should have been an easy half-hour drive turned into a white-knuckle, treacherous journey that took nearly three hours.

The lesson? Heading somewhere just an hour or two away? It’s tempting to just hop in the car and go, but even short trips benefit from a little planning—maybe even more so, because we tend to let our guard down.

Don’t Skip the Vehicle Check

Even for short trips, check your tire pressure, fuel level, and make sure your phone is charged. The majority of breakdowns happen close to home simply because that’s where people do most of their driving.

Time It Right

Just because it’s normally a 30-minute drive doesn’t mean it will be during the holidays. Check traffic patterns before you leave. Apps like Waze or Google Maps can show you typical traffic for specific times and suggest the best departure window.

Prepare for the Unexpected

Even on short trips, bring water, snacks, and a phone charger. If you get stuck in unexpected traffic or have car trouble, you’ll be glad you did. And if you’re traveling with kids, those snacks might save your sanity even if nothing goes wrong!

Local Holiday Events

Short distance travel often means you’re more familiar with the area, but remember that holiday events can create unexpected traffic or parking challenges. Check if there are any parades, tree lightings, or other festivities that might affect your route or destination.

Universal Travel Tips: No Matter How You’re Getting There

Give Yourself Grace

Things will go wrong. Traffic will be worse than expected. Flights will be delayed. Someone will forget something important. That’s just the holiday travel reality. Build in buffer time everywhere, and when something goes sideways, take a deep breath and remember that you’ll get there eventually.

Stay Healthy

Holiday travel is exhausting, and planes are basically flying germ factories. Wash your hands frequently, stay hydrated, and try to maintain some semblance of your normal sleep schedule. Arriving sick (or getting everyone else sick) is nobody’s idea of a good time.

Charge Everything

Phone, tablet, portable battery, headphones—charge it all before you leave. And bring your chargers with you. Few things are more frustrating than a dead phone when you need directions or entertainment.

Keep Important Info Handy

Have a list of important phone numbers saved somewhere other than your phone. Airline customer service, your hotel, your host’s address and phone number, your roadside assistance number—write them down or email them to yourself.

Remember What Really Matters

At the end of the day, holiday travel is about getting to the people you care about. Yes, the journey can be stressful. Yes, it would be easier to stay home. But the memories you make, the faces you see, the hugs you give—that’s what makes it all worthwhile.

The Bottom Line: Be Prepared, Be Patient, Be Safe

Whether you’re driving over the river and through the woods, jetting across the country, or just heading to the next town over, preparation is your best friend. Check your vehicle, pack smart, plan ahead, and give yourself plenty of time.

The holidays are hectic enough without adding travel stress to the mix. But with these tips in your back pocket, you’ll be ready for whatever the journey throws at you. Safe travels, everyone—may your roads be clear, your flights be on time, and your arrivals be joyful.

Safe travels, everyone—may your roads be clear, your flights be on time, and your arrivals be joyful!