October 7, 2026

Thanksgiving Road Trip 2026: Plan the Drive Before Holiday Week

A family organizing luggage beside a packed car at an autumn highway rest area.

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Drivers can prepare now by choosing a route, checking the vehicle, planning rest stops and avoiding a rigid arrival schedule. Traffic forecasts closer to the holiday will be more useful than predictions made several weeks ahead. Compare routes before choosing one The fastest route on an ordinary day may not be the most reliable during holiday travel. Compare a primary route with an alternative that offers fuel, food and safe rest stops. Save both routes offline. Note any long sections with limited services…

Daylight Saving Time Ends November 1: A Travel Checklist

Carl Kessler

Traveler checking a phone and alarm clock beside a packed bag in a hotel room.

Daylight saving time ends in most of the United States at 2:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Clocks move back one hour, creating a repeated hour. Travelers should verify departure times, time zones and device settings rather than assuming every clock updates automatically. NIST Confirm the local rule Most US states observe the November change, but Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe daylight saving time. US territories also have different arrangements. If your itinerary crosses a time-zone boundary or includes Arizona, check the local time…

Veterans Day 2026: How to Plan a National Park Visit

Carl Kessler

A family walking toward a national park canyon on a crisp November day.

Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, and it is one of the National Park Service’s fee-free entrance days. The waiver covers entrance fees at participating NPS sites, but visitors may still need reservations, parking permits, activity fees or campground bookings. home.nps.gov Understand what fee-free means On a fee-free day, participating National Park Service locations waive their entrance charge. This does not make every component of a visit free. Camping, boat launches, transportation, tours and reservation charges may still apply. State parks, private attractions and facilities operated by other…

Joshua Tree Camping in Fall: What First-Time Visitors Should Know

Carl Kessler

Illuminated tent among Joshua trees and desert boulders beneath an evening sky.

October begins Joshua Tree National Park’s busy camping season. Most campsites can be reserved, weekends frequently fill and cell service is limited, so first-time visitors should secure an appropriate site before entering the park and bring all the water and supplies they need. nps.gov Reserve before driving into the park Joshua Tree’s busy season runs from October through May. The National Park Service says most of the park’s roughly 500 campsites are available by reservation, which can generally be made through Recreation.gov up to six months ahead or on the…

Great Smoky Mountains in Fall: How to Avoid the Busiest Crowds

Carl Kessler

Two hikers viewing autumn-covered ridges in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park becomes especially busy during fall-color season. Popular areas such as Cades Cove, Kuwohi and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail may experience congestion, so the best strategy is to arrive early, select fewer stops and prepare alternatives before entering the park. nps.gov Choose one priority area Trying to cover Cades Cove, Kuwohi and several trails in one day can mean spending more time in traffic than outdoors. Choose one major destination and add only nearby activities. Cades Cove is a scenic one-way loop and one of…