Record year for holiday travel expected | 109.5 million expected to be on the road during the Saturday through Jan. 1 window
While no one can top the blazing path of Santa Claus over the holiday period, top forecasters are predicting a record year for travelers in 2025.
According to projections from AAA-The Auto Club Group, 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the 13-day, year-end holiday period beginning Dec. 20 and ending Jan. 1. This year’s AAA estimation is a 2.2% increase over 2024, surpassing last year’s record of 119.7 million travelers.
“People are eager to travel this holiday season,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA, in a release. “That’s leading to record numbers on the roads and in the skies. Our advice is to plan ahead. Book early, allow extra time to reach your destination, and think about travel insurance if you’re flying during winter weather. It’s the best way to protect both your trip and your peace of mind.”
Many Americans will take to the roadways, as AAA projects 109.5 million Americans will travel by car for their year-end trips, an increase of 2% compared to last year. Experts state driving is the most popular mode of transportation, largely due to its convenience and low cost. This year, 89% of holiday travelers will take road trips.
Good news is Florida gas prices are moving lower, AAA experts stated in a Sunday release. Of the 7.5 million Floridians that AAA expects to take a trip, 6.7 million are forecast to drive.
“Florida gas prices have declined for three consecutive weeks,” said AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins, in a release. “If current trends continue, holiday travelers will find the lowest gas prices in years.”
Sunday’s average price of $2.81 per gallon is 26 cents less than this time last year, and the lowest daily average price since May 2021.
With a record number of car travelers, AAA urges drivers to prioritize safety. December is also National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, which is a timely reminder for drivers to make safe choices and stay vigilant. AAA and MADD encourage travelers to plan safe rides home this holiday season during one of the most dangerous times of year on the road.
Experts stated that during 2024’s year-end holiday period, AAA responded to more than 860,000 emergency roadside assistance calls to help stranded drivers with issues like dead batteries, flat tires, and empty fuel tanks.
“When AAA responds to those roadside emergencies, it’s incumbent upon all of us to keep everyone safe,” AAA experts stated. “Slow Down, Move Over means when you see stopped vehicles on the side of the road, reduce your speed and change lanes. That gives tow truck technicians, law enforcement officials, and other individuals room to complete their work safely.”
INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects Christmas week to be busier on the roads than New Year’s week, but both weeks will see days of increased traffic.
Experts warn that interstates will be overly congested the weekend before Christmas, as travelers hit the road on Saturday and Sunday ahead of the holiday. Dec. 26 is also expected to be busy, said INRIX, as travelers make moves post-Christmas Day.
“Because the year-end holiday travel period spans a longer time frame, travelers have more options for departures and returns,” officials stated. “The holidays themselves – Christmas and New Year’s Day – are typically the lightest traffic-wise but remember crashes or severe weather could create unexpected delays.”
When it comes to travel by air, AAA projects a record 8.03 million travelers will take to the skies, a 2.3% increase compared to last year. Experts state this will be the first time on record that the number of domestic air travelers over the year-end holiday period exceeds 8 million.
Experts also state that domestic flights are 7% more expensive this year, and according to AAA data, which is based on what travelers paid when they booked their holiday trips, the average ticket costs nearly $900.
“The days leading up to Christmas Day are the most expensive, while flying on the holiday itself is cheaper,” AAA experts stated. “New Year’s flights are also pricey, with many people returning home on New Year’s Day or even squeezing one extra weekend out of the holiday season and coming back on Sunday, Jan. 4.”
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