AAA: Record Number of Holiday Travelers Nationwide Will Close Out The Year

Nationally, AAA projects 119.33 million Americans will travel. This year’s domestic travel projection narrowly surpasses the previous record set in 2019.

“This is the time of year when lifelong memories are made with loved ones, and travel plays a big role in that,” said AAA Texas Vice President Galen Grillo. “This year, with Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday, we will see many families not only take road trips but also fly to international destinations and set sail for warm destinations in the Caribbean.”

Year-End Travelers by Mode

By Car: Nearly 90% of holiday travelers will be driving to their destinations, making it the most popular way to travel. Many travelers, particularly families with young children, prefer the flexibility and lower cost that road trips provide. This holiday season, the national gas price average is lower than last year while the statewide average in Texas is about the same as last year. Gas demand in December goes down as the weather gets colder, more people work remotely, and holiday shoppers purchase their gifts online versus in person.

By Air: AAA expects air travel to set a record, nationally this holiday season with 7.85 million passengers. That number surpasses the previous record of 7.5 million air travelers last year. Air travel in Texas will be higher than last year but won’t beat the volume in 2019. AAA booking data shows flights are 4% more expensive this holiday season compared to last year. The average domestic ticket is $830. International flights are 13% more expensive, averaging $1,630 a ticket.

By Other Modes: The number of Americans traveling by bus, train, and cruise this holiday season is up nearly 10% compared to last year. AAA expects 4.47 million people will travel by other modes. That number is the highest it’s been in 20 years. Domestic cruise bookings are up 37% compared to last holiday season. Cruising is popular this time of year as many families enjoy celebrating the holidays aboard a ship full of activities and food.

AAA’s Road Trip Safety Tips

With additional traffic on the roads, AAA Texas urges drivers to prioritize safety with the following tips:

Follow Posted Speed Limits: While it’s tempting to speed to save time, the facts don’t support it. Even minor increases in speed can make crashes deadly.

• Driving 80 mph instead of 75 mph over 100 miles saves only 5 minutes, hardly worth the risk.
• Speeding may feel faster but often leads to tragedy.

Drive Only When Alert and Refreshed: Driving on 4-5 hours of sleep is as dangerous as driving with a 0.08 BAC (legal intoxication). Less than 4 hours of sleep? The risk doubles.

• Travel during hours you’re normally awake and avoid overnight drives.
• Steer clear of heavy meals, drowsy medications, and alcohol.
• For long trips, take breaks every 2 hours or 100 miles. Use these breaks to switch drivers if possible, or park at a safe location and nap for 20-30 minutes to recharge.

Slow Down, Move Over: A roadside worker is killed every other week in the U.S. To help prevent these tragedies, AAA asks drives to Slow Down, Move Over.

• When you see an emergency responder on the side of the road assisting a stranded driver, reduce your speed.
• If possible, change lanes to give those crews room to do their jobs safely.
• All 50 states and the District of Columbia have Move Over laws in place.

Best/Worst Times to Drive and Peak Congestion by Metro

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects drivers will experience the worst traffic delays the weekends before Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The holidays themselves are expected to have minimal congestion. Drivers should expect delays in and around major metro areas and avoid traveling during peak community hours during the week. If schedules allow, leave bright and early or after the evening commute.

AAA’s Top Holiday Destinations

Tropical weather destinations top the list as many people head to beach resorts and head on cruises to end the year. The charming Southern cities of Charleston and New Orleans are also on the top 10 domestic list. In addition to Caribbean destinations, Bahrain finds itself in the top 10 international list thanks to its popular cruise port, pleasant weather, and rich history. The top holiday destinations are based on AAA booking data from December 21, 2024 to January 1, 2025.