New Delhi, Nov. 25 -- Thanksgiving travel in the United States is expected to reach historic levels this year, with AAA projecting a record 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home during the seven-day holiday period from Tuesday, 25 November to Monday, 1 December. This is 1.6 million more travelers than last year, marking the busiest Thanksgiving travel season ever.

Most travelers, about 90% or 73 million people, are expected to drive, according to AAA. Packed highways, especially in major California metros, are anticipated as families journey to celebrate the holiday.

Transportation analytics firm INRIX warns that the busiest travel times will be Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, as well as Sunday, when peo...