Here’s how much more traffic could be driving in the Rio Grande Valley this Thanksgiving

Rio Grande Valley drivers will likely see tens of thousands more vehicles on the roadways from visitors heading south to celebrate Thanksgiving. 

The three busiest travel days around Thanksgiving – the day before, the day of, and the day after – brought more than 44,000 drivers down U.S. 281 into Hidalgo County last year, according to Texas Department of Transportation data. 

There were 1,000 more drivers on that road headed south during Thanksgiving week between 2023 and 2024, data shows. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 40,400 vehicles entered the Valley during the Thanksgiving holiday, according to TxDOT data. 

Traffic congestion predictions 

TxDOT estimates light traffic on U.S. 281, the future I-69C corridor, between Wednesday and Sunday. Possible delays are expected on Sunday afternoon towards the town of George West. 

Along I-10, the heaviest traffic will be seen between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Wednesday from El Paso to Houston. Along I-35, the heaviest traffic days will be Wednesday and Sunday – especially between Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

The I-37 corridor is expected to have light traffic all week, with possible delays heading into San Antonio between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Wednesday. 

Along the U.S. 77, the future I-69E corridor, moderate traffic is expected between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. near Corpus Christi and Kingsville, then again between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the same area, plus Harlingen. For the remainder of the week, there’s likely to be light traffic with possible delays heading back to Corpus Christi on Sunday afternoon. 

Most travelers on the road 

Statewide, AAA Texas estimates that 5.8 million Texans will travel at least 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday. That’s a 1.1% increase from 2024 and a 3.6% jump from 2019. The overwhelming majority of travelers will drive, about 5.3 million, AAA Texas predicts. 

The average price of gasoline across Texas was $2.65 for regular on Tuesday, down just one cent from a year ago, according to AAA data. Average gas prices across the Rio Grande Valley varied: Starr County, $2.68; Hidalgo County, $2.63; Cameron County, $2.64; and Willacy County, $2.48, according to AAA data.