Thanksgiving road trip

New York to Philadelphia for Thanksgiving

Distance

95 mi

Driving

2 hrs + traffic

Halfway

Princeton

The next Thanksgiving lands on Thursday, November 26, 2026. On I-95 and the NJ Turnpike, 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.

Book the halfway night early

Princeton sits about 50 miles from New York and 45 miles from Philadelphia. Holiday weekends sell out the rooms near the highway first.

• Stays in Princeton
• Stays in Philadelphia

Along the way

• Eastern State Penitentiary
• Al Capone's cell
• Mütter Museum

Full drive guide for this route