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AAA projects a record-breaking 120 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more during the holiday season from Saturday (December 21) to Wednesday (January 1). This marks a 3.5% increase from last year and returns to pre-pandemic travel levels seen in 2019 when 119 million traveled.
The majority of travelers, nearly 107 million, will drive to their destinations, with road trips remaining the most popular mode of travel. According to AAA, this is due to the flexibility and lower costs associated with driving. Gas prices are slightly lower this year, averaging $3.03 per gallon, compared to $3.14 last year.
Air travel is also expected to hit a new high, with 7.85 million passengers taking to the skies, surpassing last year's record of 7.5 million. However, travelers should anticipate higher costs, as domestic flights are 4% more expensive, averaging $830 per ticket.
Other modes of transportation, including buses, trains, and cruises, are seeing a significant increase, with 4.47 million travelers expected, a nearly 10% rise from last year. Domestic cruise bookings have surged by 37% compared to the previous holiday season.
Travelers should prepare for potential delays, especially on the weekends before Christmas and New Year's, when traffic congestion is expected to peak. Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at INRIX, advises avoiding peak commuting hours and suggests traveling early in the morning or after the evening commute.