Thanksgiving Travel in Arizona — Stay Safe on the Roads

Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel periods of the year in Arizona. I-17 northbound to Flagstaff becomes a parking lot. I-10 sees heavy traffic heading to Tucson and California. And alcohol-fueled holiday celebrations mean a spike in DUI crashes — Wednesday night before Thanksgiving is statistically one of the heaviest drinking nights of the year.

The Numbers

Our crash data shows that holiday weekends consistently produce spikes in fatal crashes on Arizona highways. The combination of increased traffic volume, long-distance driving (with associated fatigue), impaired driving, and distracted driving creates a perfect storm.

Arizona law enforcement agencies run enhanced DUI patrols over the Thanksgiving holiday. The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety coordinates checkpoints and saturation patrols statewide.

Driving Tips

Leave early. The worst traffic on I-17 northbound is Wednesday afternoon — leave before noon if you’re heading to Flagstaff or Sedona. Check AZ 511 for real-time conditions. Don’t drive fatigued — drowsy driving impairs reaction time as much as alcohol. Designate a sober driver or use rideshare if you’re drinking. Increase following distance — holiday traffic means more stop-and-go, which means more rear-end collisions. Put your phone away — distracted driving is deadly at any time, but especially in heavy traffic.

If You’re in an Accident

Follow the accident checklist. Don’t let the holiday rush pressure you into skipping steps. Document everything, get medical attention, and call the Law Badgers. The statute of limitations doesn’t take holidays off.

We hope you have a safe Thanksgiving. But if someone else’s negligence ruins your holiday, we’re here to fight for you.