As Americans gear up for one of the busiest travel periods of the year, a record-breaking 122.4 million people are expected to journey at least 50 miles from home during the upcoming year-end holiday season. This figure represents a 2.2% increase compared to last year, establishing a new all-time high for holiday travel volume.
This Friday, December 20, has been identified by AAA as an exceptionally busy departure day, with the surrounding weekend also expected to see massive movement nationwide. Travel experts anticipate congestion to peak again on December 26 and throughout the post-Christmas weekend as travelers return home.
The vast majority of holiday travelers will opt for road trips, with approximately 109-110 million Americans planning to travel by car. This represents about 90% of all holiday journeys and shows a 2% increase from last year. Travelers should prepare for heavy traffic, particularly when departing major metropolitan areas.
Roads will see an unprecedented 110 million Americans this holiday season, a 2% jump from last year, requiring extra planning for city departures.
Air travel is also reaching unprecedented heights this season. For the first time ever, domestic air passengers will exceed eight million during the holiday period, with 8.03 million Americans taking to the skies. U.S. airlines forecast carrying a total of 52.6 million passengers over the extended 18-day winter holiday window from December 19 to January 5, averaging 2.9 million passengers daily.
Those flying should be prepared for higher costs, as the average round-trip domestic airfare for holiday bookings is hovering around $900, approximately 7% higher than last year. Travelers might find some relief by flying on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, which historically see lighter travel volume. The Christmas and New Year’s holidays occurring on Thursdays this year create an extended two-week travel period, contributing to the record-breaking numbers.
Alternative transportation modes including rail, bus, and cruise travel are experiencing significant growth as well, with approximately 4.9 million travelers choosing these options. This represents a 9% increase over previous years and a remarkable 25% expansion since 2019. December 20 is expected to be the busiest rental car pickup day of the season, particularly in popular tourist destinations like Orlando and Los Angeles. Popular destinations for holiday air travelers include Florida, Southern California, and Hawaii, reflecting the growing preference for warmer locations during winter holidays.
Whether by road, air, or rail, travelers should allow extra time, pack patience, and prepare for crowded conditions during what promises to be a record-setting holiday travel season.
