Here are the best and worst times to drive in SC during Thanksgiving week
It’s officially that time of year when folks start to prepare for their annual holiday trips home.
Whether you’re racing back for a piece of Grandma’s homemade pumpkin pie or just looking to spend quality time with loved ones, Thanksgiving is one of the busiest holidays for travel.
AAA, the organization behind the emergency road service, has put together a best-of-times and worst-of-times schedule, so drivers can know when to take to (or stay off) the streets during the holiday stretch.
About 73 million people, accounting for 89.6% of Thanksgiving travelers, are expected to journey by car over the holiday period, which begins Tuesday, Nov. 25 and runs through Monday, Dec. 1, according to AAA. That number can rise if people decide at the last minute not to fly.
Holiday air travel often involves surprise delays, but the cancellations from the federal government shutdown are over. On Monday, Nov. 17, the FAA ended flight cutbacks at 40 busy airports.
Even though no airports in South Carolina were directly impacted, airports that have frequent connecting flights were, including Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
So, when is the worst time for South Carolinians to hit the road this holiday?
Expect lots of fellow drivers on the road Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons before Thanksgiving, according to INRIX, an analytics firm that works with AAA.
And after Thanksgiving? The following Sunday, when everyone hits the road to head back to work or school on Monday, Dec. 1, is expected to be busy.
If you’re renting a car for the holiday journey, be prepared for a rush. Rental company Hertz reports that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the busiest day for vehicle pick-ups. But, there is some good news: Rental car rates are down 15% from last year.
AAA says drivers should hit the road in the morning to avoid the worst backups, but to stay mindful of construction, crashes or any severe weather that could impact travel times.
AAA’s full traffic forecast
Tuesday, Nov. 25
- Worst time: Noon to 9 p.m.
- Best time: Before noon
Wednesday, Nov. 26
- Worst time: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Best time: Before 11 a.m.
Minimal traffic is expected on Thursday, Nov. 27.
Friday, Nov. 28
- Worst time: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Best time: Before 11 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 29
- Worst time: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Best time: Before 10 a.m.
Sunday, Nov. 30
- Worst time: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Best time: Before 11 a.m.
Monday, Dec. 1
- Worst time: Noon to 8 p.m.
- Best time: After 8 p.m.
INRIX’s holiday forecast shows that while no South Carolina metro areas are expected to experience unusual congestion, three corridors used by Palmetto State travelers will be some of the busiest in the U.S.
Drivers heading to the northeast may hit delays between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore on the Baltimore–Washington Parkway, with peak congestion expected Tuesday, Nov. 25. Folks traveling down Interstate 95 toward Florida may also encounter heavy traffic on the Tampa-to-Orlando stretch of Interstate 4, which is forecast to be the busiest Friday afternoon, Nov. 28.
For travelers through Georgia, Atlanta’s route to Savannah via Interstate 16 East is likely to see traffic on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 30.
How about when I need to fill up the tank?
AAA said that drivers are paying about the same for gas as last year, with GasBuddy forecasting a national average price of gas of $3.02 per gallon this Thanksgiving.
For South Carolina, AAA says the state’s gas price average is now about $2.77.
The average prices for a gallon of gas across the state, as of Nov. 18 according to GasBuddy:
- Myrtle Beach: $2.70
- Columbia: $2.76
- Spartanburg: $2.76
- Greenville: $2.80
AAA recommends filling the tank the night before a road trip and checking your battery and tire pressure before hitting the road.
What about the weather?
South Carolina travelers will get a cooperative start to the Thanksgiving travel rush, with mostly sunny and mild weather expected statewide on Sunday, Nov. 23, and Monday, Nov. 24, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.
Forecast highs sit in the upper 60s along the coast — about 69 degrees in Hilton Head and 67 to 68 in Myrtle Beach — with partly cloudy nights in the low-to mid-50s.
The Midlands and Upstate will see similar conditions, with Columbia reaching the low 70s both days and Rock Hill and Greenville topping out near 68 to 69 degrees. The calm, dry weather should make for smooth early-week driving before holiday traffic intensifies.
On Tuesday, AccuWeather shows that the Palmetto State will continue to see mild temperatures, with highs in the low 70s and the coldest temperatures ranging around the 50s.
Wednesday evening may bring some showers to South Carolina, but on Thanksgiving Day, AccuWeather predicts that most areas of the Palmetto State will see temperatures in the mid-60s to low 70s. There is roughly a 50% chance of showers across the state.
