How Much Does a Thanksgiving Road Trip Really Cost?
Fuel, car costs, hotels, and airfare compared for a 500-mile Thanksgiving drive this year.
A 500-mile Thanksgiving road trip costs about $71 in fuel alone at current prices. The same trip represents about $380 in full vehicle costs, plus tolls, food, and lodging if you stay overnight. Most holiday travelers drive.
AAA projected 73 million Americans would drive for Thanksgiving in 2025, or 89.6% of long-distance travelers. That makes fuel and lodging the two numbers that decide most budgets.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 13, 2026.
What will fuel cost this year?
According to AAA, the national regular-gasoline average was $3.8724 per gallon as of Nov. 13, 2026, reported in current AAA fuel data. That is substantially higher than AAA's $3.10 average on Nov.
20, 2025. Drivers planning a repeat of last year's trip should budget more per gallon. For a common example, EPA says model-year 2024 new vehicles averaged 27.2 mpg in real-world driving.
At that economy, 500 miles uses about 18.4 gallons. At last year's $3.10 price that was about $57 in fuel alone.
Why is fuel only part of the answer?
Fuel leaves out depreciation, insurance, maintenance, and tires. According to the IRS, the business standard mileage rate is 76 cents per mile for July through December 2026, explained in IRS mileage guidance. For 500 miles, that method implies about $380 in full ownership cost.
Use fuel for cash out of pocket on travel day. Use the mileage figure to compare driving with flying, or to set a fair reimbursement between family members sharing driving. Tolls, parking, meals, and snacks sit on top of either number.
Should a larger group drive instead of fly?
According to Hopper, average domestic Thanksgiving round-trip airfare is $402 for 2026, up $95 from 2025 to a 10-year high, reported in Hopper's 2026 holiday travel index. For one traveler, $402 can look close to driving once hotels enter the math. For three or four people on the same route, one car often costs less than three or four plane tickets.
Timing also matters. Airfare covers only the flight, while driving bundles transport for the whole visit. Families who need a car at their destination can avoid a rental by driving their own vehicle.
What about hotels and local gas prices?
According to Hopper, average domestic Thanksgiving hotel rates are $170 per night for 2026, roughly flat with 2025, also reported in Hopper's 2026 holiday travel index. That is below the $197 Christmas average. One night can more than double a short trip, while staying with family keeps the road-trip math near fuel plus tolls.
National averages also hide route gaps. AAA's Tennessee report showed $2.60 in that state on Dec. 1, 2025, while California fuel was far higher that week.
Price your states before you leave, then add a buffer for traffic, detours, and cold-weather idling.