Ah, Thanksgiving. A time for family, gratitude, and if you live in California, absolute gridlock. A recent report lists the top 20 busiest roads to avoid during Thanksgiving travel, and surprise, surprise—most of them are right in the Golden State. Because what could be more Californian than paying sky-high gas prices to sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic on roads that are falling apart?

California, once known for its sunny skies and endless opportunity, is now better known for its endless traffic jams. As families prepare to head out for the holiday, they’ll find themselves stuck on freeways that double as parking lots, wondering why they didn’t just host Thanksgiving in their own backyard. Let’s break down this report and figure out why California’s roads are such a disaster.

A Thanksgiving Tradition: Traffic and Frustration

If you’re traveling for Thanksgiving, you might want to avoid the I-405 in Los Angeles. Actually, scratch that—you definitely want to avoid it. According to the report, the I-405 is among the most congested highways during the holidays, with delays that could make you miss not just Thanksgiving dinner but possibly Christmas too. Add in the I-5, US-101, and the I-80, and you’ve got a recipe for road rage and cold turkey.

The report blames “high holiday travel volume” for the chaos, but let’s be honest: California’s traffic problems didn’t start with Thanksgiving. They’re the result of decades of bad policies, underfunded infrastructure, and a refusal to address the obvious. Instead of fixing roads or expanding highways, California’s leaders are too busy banning gas-powered cars and pushing high-speed rail projects that may or may not exist in our lifetime.

Gas Prices, Pot Holes, and a Dash of Hypocrisy

Of course, no conversation about California’s roads is complete without mentioning the state’s astronomical gas prices. Californians are paying nearly $2 more per gallon than the national average, and for what? To sit in traffic while their engines idle? It’s almost as if the state is punishing drivers for, well, driving.

What’s even more infuriating is that California collects some of the highest gas taxes in the country, supposedly to fund road maintenance. Yet somehow, the roads are still riddled with potholes and cracks. Where’s all that money going? Certainly not to the I-405, where commuters spend more time dodging tire-popping craters than actually driving.

And then there’s the hypocrisy. California’s leaders want everyone to ditch their cars and take public transportation, but guess what? Public transit is a mess too. Buses stuck in the same traffic, trains that are perpetually delayed—it’s almost as if no one actually planned this out.

The Rest of the Country Watches in Horror

If you’re lucky enough to live outside California, you might be thinking, “What does this have to do with me?” Well, here’s the kicker: California’s traffic woes aren’t confined to the West Coast. As people flee the state in droves, they bring their policies—and sometimes their driving habits—with them. States like Texas, Arizona, and Florida are seeing their own traffic problems grow as former Californians move in and take their bad ideas with them.

But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom. If you’re planning to travel this Thanksgiving and want to avoid the chaos, the report offers some tips. Traveling late at night or early in the morning can help you dodge the worst of the gridlock. Of course, that assumes you’re willing to sacrifice sleep to avoid traffic—a very Californian trade-off.

What’s the Solution?

The truth is, California’s traffic problems won’t be solved by another study or a clever marketing campaign urging people to “bike more.” The state needs serious infrastructure investment, not pie-in-the-sky green initiatives that ignore the realities of modern travel. Fixing the roads, expanding freeways, and making public transit more efficient should be at the top of the priority list. But in California, common sense tends to take a backseat to ideology.

Final Thoughts: Drive Safe, or Just Stay Home

If you’re braving the roads this Thanksgiving, especially in California, good luck. Pack snacks, leave early, and prepare for delays. Or better yet, skip the trip altogether and invite everyone to your place. At least that way, you won’t have to explain to Grandma why you’re four hours late.

California’s Thanksgiving traffic isn’t just a problem; it’s a symbol of what happens when leaders prioritize virtue signaling over actual governance. Let’s hope the turkey isn’t the only thing on the table this holiday season—because California’s roads could use a lot more than gravy.