Over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, a substantial influx of travelers is anticipated, reaching over 115 million, marking the second-highest figure in decades. According to AAA forecasts, approximately 115.2 million individuals are projected to travel at least 50 miles from their residences during the 10-day holiday period from Saturday, December 23, through Monday, January 1, 2024. Of this total, nearly 104 million will opt for road travel.
Paula Twidale, the Senior Vice President of AAA Travel, noted that this holiday travel forecast aligns with the travel trends observed throughout 2023. Despite the associated costs, more Americans are choosing to invest in travel experiences, creating memories with loved ones and exploring new destinations.
While various travel modes will be utilized, the majority of holiday travelers are expected to hit the roads. The peak traffic days are projected to be Saturday, December 23, and Thursday, December 28, with congestion anticipated. Additionally, Saturday, December 30, is expected to witness higher traffic than usual, as travelers either return home from the Christmas holiday or set out for New Year’s.
For those aiming to avoid heavy traffic, early morning travel (typically before noon) or journeys after 7 p.m. are recommended. Days with anticipated minimal traffic include Sunday, December 24, Monday, December 25, Sunday, December 31, and Monday, January 1.
Airports are also anticipated to experience unprecedented activity during the holiday period. A record-breaking 7.5 million travelers are forecasted to fly during the holidays, surpassing the previous record of 7.3 million passengers in 2019.
AAA highlighted that average ticket prices have decreased compared to 2022, with an average round-trip ticket to Orlando over the holiday period priced at $613, lower than the $735 cost for the same ticket last year.
Beyond air and road travel, more than 4 million Americans are expected to choose alternative transportation methods such as buses, trains, or cruises. Twidale pointed out that post-holidays is an opportune time for savvy travelers to book cruises, as cruise lines typically offer some of the best deals during this period.
In summary, the 2023 holiday travel season is poised to be bustling, reflecting the increasing enthusiasm among Americans to invest in travel experiences despite associated expenses.