It’s among the happiest and holiest times of the year, but holiday travel in December can be a nightmare. If you’re among the millions hitting the road this Christmas and New Year’s, pack your patience and plan ahead.
AAA projects 115.2 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the 10-day year-end holiday travel period. This year’s total number of domestic travelers is a 2.2% increase over last year and the second highest year-end travel forecast since 2000 when AAA began tracking holiday travel.
2019 remains the busiest Christmas and New Year’s travel period on record, with 119 million travelers.
“This year-end holiday forecast, with an additional 2.5 million travelers compared to last year, mirrors what AAA Travel has been observing throughout 2023,” says Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “More Americans are investing in travel, despite the cost, to make memories with loved ones and experience new places.”
More people driving this year
AAA expects nearly 104 million people will drive to their holiday destinations, an increase of 1.8% compared to 2022.
Law enforcement will be out in force monitoring holiday traffic. Public safety officials urge drivers to buckle up, obey the speed limit, and be patient. Transportation data analytics company INRIX says there will be several days of potentially bad traffic during the 10-day holiday period. Nationwide, drivers could see travel times up to 20% longer than usual, says INRIX Transportation Analyst Bob Pishue.
“In major metros, especially in Denver, Minneapolis, and Washington, DC, drivers could experience nearly double the typical delays,” says Pushue.
He advises drivers to avoid peak commuting hours and use traffic apps, local DOT notifications, and 511 services to minimize holiday travel traffic frustrations.
Saturday, December 23, and Thursday, December 28, will be the most congested days on the road.
According to INRIX, Saturday, Dec. 30, will also be more congested as people head back home from their holiday destinations or travel for New Year’s Eve.
The best times to hit the road are before lunchtime or after 7 p.m.
Although roads will be more congested, there is some good news at the pump. Drivers can expect to pay about the same or less for a gallon of gasoline than they did last holiday season, when the national average on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day was $3.10 and $3.20 per gallon, respectively.
Air travel and cruises
Airports are expected to be the busiest they’ve ever been over the Christmas and New Year’s travel period. AAA projects 7.5 million air travelers this holiday season, surpassing 2019’s record of 7.3 million passengers.
Average ticket prices are slightly lower than last year, and travelers may still find some last-minute deals.
According to AAA booking data, the average price for a roundtrip ticket to Orlando this holiday season is $613, down from $735 last year. A roundtrip ticket to Las Vegas is $508 now compared to $705 in 2022.
The number of people traveling by other modes, like bus, train, and cruise, is also projected to surpass 2019. AAA expects more than 4 million Americans will take alternative transportation over Christmas and New Year’s.
Demand for cruises has skyrocketed post-pandemic, and the industry is now preparing for the wave of bookings that traditionally happens at the start of the new year.
“Savvy travelers know that right after the holidays is the best time to book a cruise,” says Twidale. “That’s when cruise lines offer some of the best deals, and AAA members get exclusive benefits in addition to those discounts.”
