More than 115 million people are expected to travel over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, the second highest number in decades.
According to AAA, a total of 115.2 million travellers are expected to travel 50 miles or more from their homes during the 10-day holiday period from Saturday, December 23 to Monday, January 1, 2024. Of those, nearly 104 million people will hit the road.
“This year-end holiday forecast, with an additional 2.5 million travellers compared to last year, reflects what AAA Travel has been observing throughout 2023,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, in a statement. “More Americans are investing in travel, despite the cost, to make memories with loved ones and experience new places.”
While many travellers will take to the skies, cruises or trains, most will drive. The worst days on the roads will be Saturday, December 23 and Thursday, December 28, when travellers are expected to experience heavy congestion, according to the forecast. In addition, travellers can expect traffic to be heavier than a typical Saturday on Saturday 30 December, as many travellers are either returning home from the Christmas holidays or heading out for the New Year.
Drivers hoping to avoid the worst traffic should travel in the morning (usually before noon) or after 7 p.m. Travellers should also experience minimal traffic on Sunday 24 December, Monday 25 December, Sunday 31 December and Monday 1 January.
Airports are also expected to be the busiest they’ve ever been over the holiday period. Overall, a record 7.5 million travelers are forecast to fly over the holidays, breaking the previous record of 7.3 million passengers in 2019.
AAA noted average ticket prices are down from 2022 with an average round-trip ticket to Orlando over the holiday period, for example, coming in at $613. That’s less than the same ticket cost of $735 last year.
Beyond planes and cars, more than 4 million Americans are forecast to travel by bus, train, or cruise.
“Savvy travelers know that right after the holidays is the best time to book a cruise,” Twidale said, adding it’s “when cruise lines offer some of the best deals.”