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Thanksgiving brings plenty of opportunities for family time, with the often chaotic trip to the grocery store being one of the most stressful. But timing your Thanksgiving grocery run right can make all the difference in keeping your holiday spirit intact.
Luckily, insights from Google Maps can offer guidance. Keep reading to discover the optimal and least favorable times to shop for your Thanksgiving preparations, along with some shopping tips to help streamline the process.
Best Times for Thanksgiving Shopping
If you want to avoid the crowds, the best time to do your Thanksgiving grocery shopping is at 8 a.m. on the Monday before Thanksgiving. This is when stores are typically the least crowded.
If the Monday before Thanksgiving doesn't work for you, depending on your availability and when you'd like to begin preparing for Thanksgiving dinner, you may want to consider shopping at one of the following times during Thanksgiving week:
- Monday, an hour before the store closes
- The Saturday before Thanksgiving, right when the store opens
- The Saturday before Thanksgiving, an hour before the store closes
- Tuesday or Wednesday, as soon as the store opens
No matter which day you choose to shop, we suggest heading out either early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the crowds.
Shopping List
Many perishable items should be bought during the week leading up to Thanksgiving to ensure the freshest quality. Here’s a list of some items to consider picking up in the days before:
- Fresh turkey
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Fresh herbs
- Milk and other dairy products
- Cheese
- Ice
The Worst Times to Go Thanksgiving Shopping
Google Maps data reveals that Saturdays between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. are typically the busiest times at grocery stores.
Don't head out on Thanksgiving morning without checking if your store will be open. Here's a ranking of the worst days and times to go shopping during Thanksgiving week, from the absolute worst to still not great:
- Thanksgiving Day (all day)
- Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon
- Tuesday and Wednesday evening
- The Saturday before Thanksgiving, in the afternoon
- Tuesday and Wednesday, mid-morning
Thanksgiving Shopping Tips
Thanksgiving preparations can feel overwhelming, but they don't have to be. Use these tips to ease your stress and ensure that everyone, including yourself, enjoys the holiday.
Plan Ahead
The secret to avoiding crowds and having the best Thanksgiving is to plan ahead for your holiday dinner. Make a grocery list, choose a less busy time to shop, and aim for an efficient trip.
If you're ordering from a local restaurant or dining out for your feast, consider placing your order or making a reservation in advance. You definitely don’t want any unexpected changes on Thanksgiving due to overcrowding.
The ideal time to start Thanksgiving shopping actually begins weeks before the big day. Buy non-perishable items and anything that will stay fresh until Thanksgiving Day well ahead of time.
Here’s a list of Thanksgiving groceries you can pick up well in advance to prepare for your holiday feast:
- Seasonings and spices
- Canned pumpkin
- Pie crust (if you're not making it yourself)
- Marshmallows
- Cream cheese
- Fried onions
- Butter
- Canned cranberry sauce
- Flour
- Sugar
- Chicken broth
- Oil
- Meat thermometer
- Cookware
- Foil
- Beverages
Check If Your Store Is Busy
To get an idea of how busy your regular store is, you can check the "Popular Times" feature on Google Maps—and even view live data on how crowded it currently is. If your grocery store, restaurant, or any other spot looks too packed, you can adjust your plans accordingly.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Maps app or search for "Google Maps" on your browser and click on the official website.
- Enter the name of your preferred grocery store in the search bar, then select the location you want to explore.
- Detailed information about the location will be displayed. Scroll down to find the section labeled "Popular Times."
From there, you can pick a day of the week and check the store's busyness throughout the day. You'll also see a red "LIVE" box that indicates how busy they are at that very moment.
Take Advantage of Curbside Pickup
Curbside pickup has become one of the most convenient ways to shop for groceries, and many stores offer it for free. All you need to do is add your items to your cart, complete the checkout process, and then head over at your scheduled pickup time. Grocery staff will then bring your items to your car.
If you prefer avoiding crowds, this might be the ideal solution for you. Additionally, curbside pickup helps you stay organized by keeping track of your cart and showing your running total—so you're prepared for checkout without any surprises.
Familiarize Yourself with Substitutions
During the week of Thanksgiving, grocery stores often run low on ingredients as everyone is searching for the same items. While stores do their best to stock up, there's always a chance you might not find what you're looking for.
Some simple swaps include replacing sour cream with Greek yogurt, choosing walnuts over pecans, and using fresh rosemary instead of thyme. If fresh herbs are unavailable but you spot dried ones, substitute 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for every tablespoon of fresh herbs.
Stock Up on Extra Essentials
To prevent multiple trips to the store, consider purchasing a few extra items. There's nothing worse than realizing you're one pie crust short or missing a few eggs. Think about adding extras like an additional gallon of milk, extra butter, or another can of fried onions. Having a backup supply in your fridge can save you from a last-minute trip to the store the day before the feast.
