The Landscape of Thanksgiving Travel for Remote Workers

In a trend that’s shaking up the holiday season, Americans are making the most of a longer Thanksgiving travel window, especially remote workers. Leaving their homes earlier and returning later is becoming the norm, aiming to side-step congestion, dodge severe weather, and relish additional quality time with loved ones.

A Shift in Holiday Traditions

This shift in pattern is not without cause. As remote work solidifies its role in the American lifestyle, it’s reshaping how holidays are observed and celebrated. Thanks to the flexibility of telecommuting, many Americans are finding it possible to elongate their holiday travel periods, making the celebrations even more meaningful.

Crunching the Numbers

Travel data gives credence to this development. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened a staggering 2.7 million passengers on the Friday prior to Thanksgiving in 2022, a significant leap from the 2 million travelers recorded on the analogous Friday of 2019.

Moreover, travel data from Skyscanner, as reported by the New York Times, indicates that in 2022, the Friday preceding Thanksgiving surpassed Wednesday in terms of popularity as a travel day.

The Role of Remote Workers

As the virtual work trend continues, about 70% of individuals with the option to work remotely opt to do so occasionally or full-time each week, the New York Times reveals. This change in the working paradigm is enabling many to gain extra holiday travel time, skipping the peak traffic and potentially harsh weather conditions.

The Reality of In-Person Work

Despite the growing trend, it’s vital to remember that the majority of Americans are still engaged in in-person work, and most schools operate during the initial days of Thanksgiving week. Consequently, AAA data points out that the busiest travel days remain the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday following the holiday.

However, those with the option to do so are progressively opting to commence their celebrations sooner or prolong their stay once the holiday concludes, adding a new dimension to the traditional Thanksgiving experience.