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Allstate's Thanksgiving Driver Report: Preparing for the Road

As the Thanksgiving holiday draws near, many drivers are gearing up for what is often one of the busiest travel times of the year. The Allstate Thanksgiving Driver Report offers fresh insights that every driver should consider before hitting the road this holiday season. According to the data analyzed from Allstate’s Drivewise program, there’s a remarkable surge in speed and roadside assistance requests that drivers must be aware of to ensure a safe journey.

Understanding the Spike in Driving Behavior

Recent findings reveal that high-speed driving, identified as operating at 80 mph or faster, has increased by nearly 200% on Thanksgiving morning compared to typical Thursdays. These alarming statistics highlight the need for drivers to exercise caution, particularly during peak travel times. Allstate, in analyzing over 44 million trips from the previous Thanksgiving holiday, wants to remind drivers to allow extra time for their travels and keep a close eye on their speed.

Major Trends from Last Thanksgiving

The report emphasizes several key shifts in driving behavior:

• - Late Evening Travel Increases: The number of trips taken increased more than 40% from late Wednesday night through early Thursday morning, indicating that many families are choosing to travel late to avoid traffic.
• - Morning Speeding Patterns: There was a noticeable rise in drivers exceeding 80 mph from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving, maintaining figures that were over 100% higher than normal throughout the lunch hour.
• - Risky Behaviors Identified: On Thanksgiving Day, about 20% of trips displayed multiple high-risk behaviors, with over 90% of those instances involving both speeding and phone use.

Geography of High-Speed Driving

The report also sheds light on states where drivers were most likely to speed. South Carolina led the charge with a staggering 151% increase in high-speed driving. Others included:

• - New York: +149%
• - Texas: +139%
• - North Carolina: +129%
• - Florida: +123%

The trend extended to interstates, with I-40, I-30, and I-10 recording significant spikes in southern states during the Thanksgiving week.

Long-Distance Travel

As families travel further afield during the holiday, the share of trips over 100 miles doubled from the prior year. Notably, Oklahoma City experienced a substantial 42% uptick in out-of-state drivers over Thanksgiving week, closely followed by several other cities like Jacksonville and San Antonio.

Preparing for the Return Journey

The Allstate Roadside service experienced its second-busiest period on the Monday following Thanksgiving in 2025, with service events reported being 52% above the daily average. About 60% of roadside assistance needs during the holiday involved towing, highlighting the importance of vehicle maintenance before long journeys.

How to Drive Safely This Thanksgiving

1. Allow Extra Time: Making plans to leave earlier can help mitigate the temptation to speed.
2. Prepare for Delays: Stock your vehicle with essentials like water, snacks, and chargers to minimize stress in case of traffic jams.
3. Check Your Vehicle: Perform a thorough check of your tires, battery life, and fluids before starting your journey.
4. Know Your Roadside Assistance Options: Familiarize yourself with your options for roadside help ahead of time; Allstate’s Roadside service is available for both members and non-members.

Conclusion

As Thanksgiving approaches, safety should be a top priority for all drivers. Enrolling in Allstate's Drivewise program not only provides valuable insights into personal driving habits but can also lead to potential savings on insurance premiums based on safe driving behavior. This Thanksgiving, remember to drive responsibly and make the most of holiday travels with family and friends.