Washington Joins West Virginia and Delaware with Increased Traffic Incident Propensity, While Wyoming and Hawaii Become Notably Safer to Drive During This Thanksgiving Day Holiday, New Update is Here

Published on November 21, 2025

By: Tuhin Sarkar

During this Thanksgiving Day holiday, Washington has joined West Virginia and Delaware in experiencing increased traffic incident propensity, making road safety a major concern. While these states saw a rise in traffic incidents, Wyoming and Hawaii became notably safer to drive, offering a surprising shift in the typical holiday travel risks. The contrast between these states reveals crucial insights into Thanksgiving driving patterns, with Washington, West Virginia, and Delaware experiencing heightened danger, while Wyoming and Hawaii showed lower risks. Understanding these shifts can be key for travelers, as they navigate safer routes and avoid potentially hazardous areas.

Thanksgiving Traffic Sees Drastic Drop and Hidden Risk Shifts

Thanksgiving week has witnessed a significant 39% drop in traffic across the U.S., with Thanksgiving Day experiencing the most dramatic dip, over 54% compared to a typical Thursday. This substantial reduction in road activity has prompted Nexar, an AI-driven mobility solutions company, to unveil key insights from its Real-World Data Engine. The findings highlight significant shifts in driving behaviours, presenting both new opportunities and challenges for holiday travellers. Furthermore, the data reveals unexpected danger windows, with elevated risks at specific hours, despite fewer cars on the road. State-specific patterns add another layer of complexity to these findings. These results serve as a reminder to stay ahead of potential risks and remain vigilant on the road during one of the busiest travel periods in the U.S.

Thanksgiving Week Traffic Sees Unprecedented Decline

The most noteworthy takeaway from Nexar’s analysis is the dramatic drop in Thanksgiving week traffic. Overall, road activity plummeted by 39%, reflecting fewer drivers on the road compared to a typical late-fall week. Thanksgiving Day itself showed a staggering 54% decrease in traffic. While many expected increased activity as families travelled, the reverse occurred, leading to what can be described as a “holiday inversion”. This inversion suggests that fewer vehicles equate to calmer, safer driving conditions—an important insight for both tourists and residents during the holiday season.

Unexpected Risk Windows: Dangers Despite Fewer Cars

Despite fewer cars, the risk of accidents did not entirely vanish. Incidents across the U.S. saw a 31.5% drop during Thanksgiving week, and the overall chance of a crash decreased by 26% compared to normal. However, two surprising danger periods emerged: one occurring just before dinner at 6 p.m., and the other late at night, from 10 p.m. to midnight. This data reveals a paradox: while lighter traffic contributed to a general reduction in crashes, these specific hours saw increased accident risk. The higher risk at 11 p.m. stood out, with incidents spiking by 28% relative to traffic levels, suggesting that a drop in road activity does not guarantee fewer dangers.

Midday and Early Afternoon: The Most Dangerous Driving Times

Another key finding was the shift in the time of day when incidents peaked. Historically, risk tends to rise later in the day, particularly during the evening. However, Thanksgiving week saw midday and early afternoon driving conditions becoming more hazardous. The analysis consistently flagged 2 p.m. as one of the highest-risk hours for accidents. Pre-Thanksgiving days also saw heightened risk between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., but a shift occurred as Wednesday, for instance, recorded earlier peaks starting from 10 a.m. This shift in the pattern of risk further underscores the need for travellers to be more cautious at unconventional times.

State-Specific Trends: How Thanksgiving Affected Driving Differently Across the U.S.

The regional breakdown of incident risk adds yet another layer of nuance to Nexar’s findings. While many states saw a reduction in accidents, a few experienced increases. Washington D.C., along with states like West Virginia and Delaware, saw a rise in incident propensity on Thanksgiving, contrasting with Wyoming and Hawaii, which experienced fewer accidents. Washington D.C. stood out with the largest increase, moving from a negative 0.66% to a positive 6.68%. This shift demonstrates the variance in driving behaviour and highlights the fact that even during national holidays, local road safety trends can differ dramatically from state to state.

How Nexar’s AI-Powered Insights Help Shape Road Safety During Holidays

Nexar’s analysis is more than just a statistical report; it serves as a tool to better understand and mitigate road risks during the holiday season. By leveraging its Real-World Data Engine, Nexar captures and processes over 100 million miles of road data monthly, helping communities understand when and where driving risks are most prevalent. The insights reveal when to expect peak risk times, helping both local authorities and travellers prepare for unexpected dangers. This proactive approach to road safety could ultimately reduce holiday accidents by empowering drivers to adjust their habits based on these insights.

Takeaways for Travellers and Road Authorities

The implications of Nexar’s analysis are clear: Thanksgiving traffic is not just about volume; it’s about when and where people are most at risk. For travellers, understanding peak hours of risk and adapting driving schedules can help mitigate danger. Early afternoon and late-night driving, especially on Thanksgiving Day, demand extra caution. For road authorities and insurers, these findings could help shape better holiday road safety campaigns and strategies, ensuring that fewer accidents occur despite the lower traffic numbers. With AI-powered intelligence, communities can not only react to road dangers but also stay ahead of them, offering a clearer path to safer driving.

Proactively Managing Thanksgiving Traffic Risks

Nexar’s deep dive into Thanksgiving week traffic offers invaluable insights that go beyond simple traffic volume. While traffic volume dropped significantly, the risks associated with specific driving times, as well as state-level variations, show that drivers must remain vigilant, regardless of road activity. By using AI-powered data to predict and manage risk, Nexar is setting a new standard for road safety during the holiday season. For the travel industry, these findings offer both a warning and an opportunity: to adapt, plan, and prioritise safety during peak travel times.