AAA’s Best and Worst Times to Travel During the Holidays
After experiencing very busy roads and airports over Thanksgiving, Americans traveling during the winter holidays can expect much more: traffic jams and crowds. If you drive or fly, you’ll need a strategy to minimize your exposure.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that nearly 104 million people will drive at least 50 miles from home during the winter holidays—a 1.8% increase from 2022 and the second-highest figure since the group began forecast in 2000. Meanwhile, 7.5 million people will fly during the same period (up 4.7% year-on-year), making it the busiest year for air travel on record.
In its forecast, AAA estimates that the “year-end holiday travel period” will cover the 10 days from December 23 to January 1.
The best and worst times to drive on holidays in 2024
AAA says the worst traffic is expected on Saturday, December 23 and Thursday, December 28, with some congestion expected on Saturday, December 30. Minimal impacts are forecast for December 24-25 and December 31-31. Jan. 1 (Sunday and Monday).
Saturday, December 23
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Best time: before 10 am.
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Worst time: from 11:00 to 19:00.
Tuesday, December 26
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Best time: before 12:00.
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Worst time: from 13:00 to 17:00.
Wednesday, December 27
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Best time: before 12:00.
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Worst time: from 13:00 to 19:00.
Thursday, December 28
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Best time: before 12:00.
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Worst time: from 14:00 to 20:00.
Friday, December 29
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Best time: before 12:00.
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Worst time: from 14:00 to 20:00.
Saturday, December 30
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Best time: before 12:00.
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Worst time: from 17:00 to 19:00.
AAA also predicts peak congestion periods in major metro areas, although the worst days, times and specific road sections vary widely. For example, on the evening of Saturday, December 23, traffic on I-80 from San Francisco to Sacramento is expected to increase by 73%, while traffic on I-25 from Fort Collins to Denver is expected to peak by 67%. % above normal). on the afternoon of Friday, December 29th.
The best and worst times to fly during the holidays in 2024
If you’re traveling by plane, you can also expect airports to be busier on certain high-traffic days. It may be less avoidable than traffic, especially if you’ve already booked your tickets, but you can at least be prepared for crowds and chaos.
Please note that airport traffic and flight delays are more difficult to predict due to variables such as weather and technical issues, as well as schedule changes on different days of the week. The Points Guy reports that the busiest air travel days last season were Thursday, December 21; Friday, December 30; and Monday, Jan. 2, according to the TSA.
Meanwhile, industry group Airlines for America predicts that the busiest days this year will be Dec. 21-22 and 26-29, while the quietest holidays will be the holidays themselves: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Day.