Thanksgiving road trip
Chicago to New Orleans for Thanksgiving
- Distance
- 925 mi
- Driving
- 14 hrs + traffic
- Halfway
- Memphis
The next Thanksgiving lands on Thursday, November 26, 2026. On I-55, the heaviest traffic usually hits the Tuesday and Wednesday before and the Sunday after. Drive Thanksgiving morning itself; roads are often the quietest of the week.
Plan this drive in XCRSNBook the halfway night early
Memphis sits about 530 miles from Chicago and 395 miles from New Orleans. Holiday weekends sell out the rooms near the highway first.
Total trip cost
Gas uses today's regional averages along this route. Add the nightly rate you find to see the full total.
- Gas, about 925 miles
- Checking prices
- Lodging, 1 night
- Add a rate
- Estimated total
- -
Along the way
- Beale Street and Graceland
- Mississippi Blues Trail markers
- Lake Pontchartrain causeway
Full drive guide for this route
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