Data shows that flight delays and the recent government shutdown are putting even more travelers on U.S. highways this Thanksgiving, increasing the risk of wrecks during what is already one of the most dangerous travel periods of the year.
Based on 2024 data analyzed by Samsara, a technology company that tracks commercial vehicle safety, the accident rate was 65% higher on the Sunday after Thanksgiving compared to the previous Sunday.
Kelly Soderlund, head of insights at Samsara, told CNN that this year could be even more dangerous due to the surge in drivers.
The American Automobile Association predicts that approximately 82 million Americans will travel at least 80 miles from home during the holiday period, which runs from Tuesday, Nov. 25 to Monday, Dec. 1.
This is an increase of approximately 1.6 million people from last year. The association said that number could rise further if travelers switch from planes to cars following recent flight cancellations.
“A lot of people had to make plans during a time when the government was shutting down and air travel was difficult,” Soderlund said. “We knew there would be more people using the roads.”
In its study, “America’s Most Dangerous Winter Roads,” released Tuesday, Samsara analyzed data from 2022 to 2025. The results show a consistent pattern of increased crash risk in winter, regardless of fleet size or industry.
Thanksgiving itself is safer than usual because many people are out visiting family, Soderlund said. The risk of collisions increases during transition periods of travel, especially Sundays after holidays. This year it falls on November 30th.
Samsara found that this spike was due to heavy traffic congestion, long journeys, and driver fatigue. Millions of Americans are returning home, making it one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
“Not only will consumers be back on the road, but delivery drivers and commercial trucks will be back on the road,” Soderlund said. During Thanksgiving week, many shippers scale back operations and reduce the number of trucks on the road. However, the next day, Sunday, the number of flights increases again, coinciding with the busiest day of the year.
Winter conditions also increase the risk. Early winter weather, including rain and snow, is already appearing in some areas. “If it’s not winter yet, there could be rain or early morning snow that could make roads slippery and reduce visibility,” Soderland says.
Certain roads and areas are at higher risk and could see snow and ice early, including Interstate 80 across the country, the New Jersey Turnpike, and northern states such as North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming and Iowa.
Drivers can reduce risk by leaving early in the day, avoiding overnight trips, and allowing extra space around large trucks.
Soderlund said about half of winter accidents occur between midnight and 4 a.m., when visibility is low and fatigue is at its peak. Traveling in the afternoon or evening can also be dangerous due to traffic jams and delivery jams.
“Be aware of your blind spots,” Soderlund says. “Don’t assume commercial vehicles recognize you and give them plenty of space. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
