Prepare for lines, crowds and traffic: This holiday travel season is about to be considered one of the busiest yet.
Over the 10-day year-end holiday travel period from Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, to Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, the American Automobile Association projects that 115.2 million travelers overall will go 50 miles or more from home — a 2.2% increase from last yr.
This yr will mark the second-busiest since AAA began tracking Christmas and Recent Yr’s travel in 2000. The busiest yr was 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic halted worldwide travel, based on AAA’s year-end forecast.
In keeping with INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, Saturday, Dec. 23, and Thursday, Dec. 28, might be probably the most congested days on the road, and Saturday, Dec. 30 will see more traffic than any normal Saturday.
“Nationwide, drivers could see travel times as much as 20% longer this holiday season. In major metros, especially in Denver, Minneapolis, and Washington, DC, drivers could experience nearly double the standard delays,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, said in a press release.
“Avoid peak commuting hours and use traffic apps, local DOT notifications, and 511 services to reduce holiday travel traffic frustrations.”
The AAA expects airports to have the busiest holiday season yet with a projected 7.5 million air travelers, beating 2019’s record of seven.3 million.
“This year-end holiday forecast, with an extra 2.5 million travelers in comparison with last yr, mirrors what AAA Travel has been observing throughout 2023,” Paula Twidale, senior vp of AAA Travel, said in a news release.
“More Americans are investing in travel, despite the price, to make memories with family members and experience latest places.”
Luckily for those hopping on a plane for his or her travels, average ticket prices are barely lower than last yr, AAA reported.
“It is determined by your required route and destination. There are last-minute deals to be found, but in case your preference is a nonstop flight with seat selection, AAA recommends booking well upfront and protecting your investment with travel insurance,” Twidale shared.
Meanwhile, a majority of travelers will drive to their holiday destinations, with nearly 104 million people expected to hit the road — up 1.8% in comparison with 2022. Traveling by automotive this yr can be the second-highest record behind 2019 when 108 million people hit the road.
The perfect times to get on the road for holiday travels are either before lunchtime or after 7 p.m.
The number of individuals traveling by other methods of transportation similar to bus, train and cruise can be expected to surpass 2019.
AAA projects that greater than 4 million will take another mode of transportation through the year-end season in comparison with 3.66 million in 2022 and three.89 million in 2019.
In a post-pandemic era, the interest in cruises has increased, and the industry is ready for an influx of cruise bookings that typically are available the brand new yr.
“Savvy travelers know that right after the vacations is the most effective time to book a cruise,” Twidale said. “That’s when cruise lines offer a few of the most effective deals, and AAA members get exclusive advantages along with those discounts.”