AAA Travel is forecasting a historic winter holiday travel period, with an estimated 119.3 million people planning to travel at least 50 miles from home between December 21 and January 1. This marks a new high for domestic travel, surpassing the previous record set in 2019 by 64,000 travelers. Compared to last year, AAA anticipates an additional three million travelers this holiday season.
“This is a time when memories are made with loved ones, and travel plays a central role in that,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “With Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday, we expect significant travel activity both before and after the holiday weekend.”
Travel Modes and Trends
According to AAA’s projections, nearly 90 percent of holiday travelers will drive to their destinations, with an estimated 107 million Americans hitting the road. While this marks an increase of 2.5 million drivers over last year, it still falls short of the 2019 record of 108 million.
Air travel is set to break records, with an estimated 7.85 million passengers expected to fly this winter, surpassing last year’s 7.5 million. Additionally, travel by bus, train, and cruise is expected to rise by nearly 10 percent compared to 2023, with 4.47 million travelers opting for these alternatives.
The cruise industry is seeing particularly strong growth, with domestic bookings up 37 percent from last holiday season.
Popular Destinations
AAA booking data highlights the most popular domestic destinations for holiday travel, with Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Los Angeles, Tampa, and Las Vegas topping the list. Other favored spots include Honolulu, Charleston, New Orleans, and New York City.
For international travel, top destinations include Punta Cana, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and London, along with spots like Mexicali, San Jose, and Nassau.
Traffic Forecast and Best Times to Travel
With millions expected to drive, traffic congestion is anticipated, especially in major metropolitan areas. According to INRIX, the weekends before Christmas and New Year’s Day will see the worst traffic delays, particularly in cities like Boston, New York, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., where travel times could double.
Nationwide, travelers may experience delays up to 30 percent longer than usual. “Sunday, December 22, is expected to be the busiest and most delayed travel day of the season,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX.
Travel experts advise avoiding peak commuting hours during the weekdays. If possible, travelers should aim to depart early in the morning or after the evening rush to minimize delays.
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