It is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the security line wraps around the terminal, and the gate is a 15-minute walk away. Or it is a four-hour drive that turns into six, with few comfortable places to stop along the way. For older adults, the trip to the family table can feel like the hardest part of the holiday. It is also a crowded one: AAA projected a record 81.8 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles over Thanksgiving 2025, and nearly 90% of them by car.
The right Thanksgiving travel tips can make a real difference, from choosing calmer travel days and getting free help at the airport to planning a more comfortable drive and settling safely into a relative’s home once you arrive.
Thanksgiving Travel Tips Start With Timing: Avoiding the Busiest Days
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, in 2026, and the days around it follow a predictable pattern. AAA and its traffic partner INRIX consistently identify the Tuesday and Wednesday before the holiday, along with the Sunday after, as the busiest Thanksgiving travel days by car. On those days, drive times in major metro areas can stretch well beyond normal, and airports see some of their longest lines of the year.
For older travelers, those delays add up to more than lost time. Long stretches of stop-and-go traffic mean more hours in one seated position, which may leave hips, knees, and lower backs stiff by the time you arrive. Crowded rest stops and packed terminals also make it harder to find a seat, a clean restroom, or a quiet moment to recover.
A small shift in the calendar can help. Leaving the weekend before Thanksgiving, or even on Thanksgiving morning, often means emptier roads. Early-morning departures usually avoid the worst congestion, and returning on Friday or Monday instead of Sunday can spare you the heaviest traffic home.
Thanksgiving Air Travel: Airport Security and Wheelchair Help
Thanksgiving air travel means long walks between gates, crowded security lanes, and tight connections. Much of the help older travelers need is free and can be arranged in advance.
Knowing how to get wheelchair assistance at the airport starts at booking. Let the airline know what kind of help you need, such as a wheelchair from the curb to the gate or guided assistance, and confirm the request again at check-in. Under the Air Carrier Access Act, airlines must provide this assistance at no cost, and the U.S. Department of Transportation explains how to request wheelchair and guided assistance before your trip.
Security can also be easier. TSA Cares lets travelers request a Passenger Support Specialist to help through screening if they call (855) 787-2227 or submit the online form at least 72 hours before departure. Travelers 75 and older can generally keep their shoes and a light jacket on at the checkpoint. A rollator can usually go to the gate and be checked there, and these tips for using a rollator safely apply in the terminal, too.
Road Trip Comfort: Traveling With Elderly Parents by Car
For many families, traveling with elderly parents means a long drive, with an adult child behind the wheel and a parent in the passenger seat. A little planning can keep that drive comfortable for everyone.
Plan stops every couple of hours so your parent can stand, stretch, and use the restroom, ideally at rest areas with accessible facilities. A small pillow or cushion behind the lower back may make a long stretch of highway more comfortable, and keeping water and snacks within reach saves extra stops.
Getting in and out of the car is often the most challenging moment of the trip, especially after hours of sitting. The Pelegon Car Cane Handle slips into the door latch and gives your parent a steady place to push up from the seat. Use safely by making sure the handle is fully seated in the latch before putting weight on it. Keep in mind that it is a support tool and does not replace a helping hand when someone feels unsteady. Our guide to getting in and out of the car safely and our article on choosing a car door handle for seniors share more transfer tips. A folded Pelegon Rollator Walker also fits in most trunks, which means there is a seat ready at every stop.
Holiday Travel Safety Tips for Staying at Family’s House
Most holiday travel safety tips focus on the road, but the destination matters too. A relative’s home may not have grab bars, the toilet may sit lower than the one at home, and a dark hallway can be hard to navigate at 2 a.m. According to the CDC, more than one in four older adults reports a fall each year, and unfamiliar spaces can add to that risk.
Small changes can make a guest room safer. Ask for a bedroom on the ground floor, place night-lights along the path to the bathroom, and move throw rugs and cords out of walking areas. It also helps to bring the mobility aid you already rely on at home, such as the Pelegon Quad Cane With Handle, so there is nothing new to get used to.
The bathroom deserves extra attention. A portable Pelegon Raised Toilet Seat or Toilet Safety Rail can make sitting and standing easier, and a Pelegon Shower Chair may help someone shower with more confidence. Our roundup of toilet risers with handles and our guide to shower safety for seniors explain how to choose them.
Making Room for Gratitude Instead of Travel Stress
Thanksgiving is about sitting at the table with the people you love, rested and steady on your feet. Choosing quieter travel days, arranging airport help early, planning comfortable stops, and preparing the guest room before you arrive can all make the journey feel like part of the celebration instead of a hurdle to get through. For broader advice on trips throughout the year, our travel tips for older adults cover the basics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best day for seniors to travel for Thanksgiving?
The Monday before Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving morning are often calmer choices. Both usually avoid the heaviest traffic and airport crowds.
Is airport wheelchair assistance free?
Yes. U.S. airlines must provide wheelchair assistance at no cost to passengers who request it.
Do you have to tip airport wheelchair assistance?
No. Tipping is not required, although many travelers choose to tip a few dollars as a thank-you.
Do seniors have to take off their shoes at TSA?
Not always. Travelers 75 and older can generally keep their shoes and a light jacket on during standard screening.
How often should older adults stop on a long holiday drive?
Every couple of hours is a good rule. Short breaks to stand and stretch may help reduce stiffness.
