CHARLOTTE – North Carolinians are expected to travel in record numbers for the year-end holiday period from Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1. AAA predicts 3.5 million North Carolinians will travel 50 miles or more from home. That’s 117,000 more travelers than the previous record high, set last year.
Nationwide, AAA expects 3 million more travelers than last year. An estimated, 119.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more. This narrowly surpasses the previous record set in 2019 by 64,000 travelers.
“Travelers should expect the roads, airports and cruise terminals to be more crowded than normal,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “So, finalize your travel plans now and give yourself extra time to get to your destination. We also suggest travel insurance, which provides assistance in the event winter weather or something unexpected interferes with your plans.”
Factors influencing this year’s travel forecast:
- Travel volume is being driven by consumer spending as inflation continues to moderate.
- Strong employment continues to drive rising wages and with inflation leveling off, consumers are expected to spend nearly 5% more than last year as incomes rise at a similar level.
- Economic growth continues to remain steady, with Q4 real GDP growth expected at 2.0% in Q4 compared to last year.
| North Carolina Year-End Holiday Travelers | ||||
| Total | Auto | Air | Other | |
| 2024 | 3.5 million | 3.2 million | 196,625 | 169,547 |
| 2023 | 3.44 million | 3.1 million | 188,454 | 152,343 |
| 2022 | 3.4 million | 3 million | 186,366 | 151,382 |
| National Year-End Holiday Travelers | ||||
| Total | Auto | Air | Other | |
| 2024 | 119 million | 107 million | 7.85 million | 4.5 million |
| 2023 | 116 million | 104.5 million | 7.5 million | 4.1 million |
| 2022 | 112 million | 101.5 million | 7.2 million | 3.6 million |
Year-End Travelers by Mode
By Car: AAA expects 2.5 million more people on the roads this year. Nationwide, an estimated 107 million will take a road trip of 50 miles or more. That’s just shy of the record of 108 million road travelers – set in 2019.
Road travel is expected to set new records in North Carolina. More than 3.2 million North Carolinians are forecast to take a road trip. That’s 92,000 more North Carolina road trippers than last year. Over 91% of holiday travelers will drive 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,” said Tiffany Wright, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “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.”
Gas prices are expected to be competitive with last year’s levels. During the last two weeks of 2023, North Carolina gas prices averaged $2.95 per gallon. During that time, the state average ranged from $2.89 per gallon to a high of $3.00/g. Currently, North Carolina drivers are paying around $2.84 per gallon. To view updated national, state, and metro area gas price averages, visit GasPrices.AAA.com.
AAA car rental partner Hertz says Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oahu, Orlando, Phoenix, and Tampa are the cities displaying the highest rental demand for the holidays. The busiest car pick-up days are expected to be Friday, December 20 and Saturday, December 21. The busiest time for rental returns is expected to be the weekend and Monday after Christmas. The average length of rental is one week.
By Air: Nationally,AAA expects air travel to set a new record this holiday season. Nearly 7.9 million Americans are forecast to take at least one domestic flight. That number surpasses the previous record of 7.5 million air travelers last year. 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. Cruise bookings out of domestic ports 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 an additional 2.5 million travelers expected on the roads, AAA 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 drivers 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 in Boston, New York City, Seattle, and Washington, DC could see double the typical delays. Nationwide, travel times could be up to 30% longer.
“With a near record number of auto travelers expected this holiday season, drivers should expect delays in and around major metro areas, with Sunday, December 22 expected to be the nation’s worst day to travel,” says Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Our advice is to avoid traveling during peak commuting hours during the week. If schedules allow, leave bright and early or after the evening commute.”
Please note that the times listed below are for the time zone in which the metro is located.
For example, Atlanta routes = ET and Los Angeles routes = PT.
| Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car | |||||||
| Date | Worst Travel Time | Best Travel Time | |||||
| Thursday, Dec 19 | 3:00 – 8:00 PM | Before 11:00 AM | |||||
| Friday, Dec 20 | 1:00 – 8:00 PM | Before 11:00 AM | |||||
| Saturday, Dec 21 | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Before 2:00 PM | |||||
| Sunday, Dec 22 | 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Before 12:00 PM | |||||
| Monday, Dec 23 | 1:00 – 6:00 PM | Before 11:00 AM | |||||
| Tuesday, Dec 24 | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected | ||||||
| Wednesday, Dec 25 | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected | ||||||
| Thursday, Dec 26 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Before 11:00 AM | |||||
| Friday, Dec 27 | 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Before 2:00 PM | |||||
| Saturday, Dec 28 | 1:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Before 11:00 PM | |||||
| Sunday, Dec 29 | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Before 11:00 PM | |||||
| Monday, Dec 30 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Before 2:00 PM | |||||
| Tuesday, Dec 31 | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected | ||||||
| Wednesday, Jan 01 | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected | ||||||
| Thursday, Jan 02 | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Before 3:00 PM | |||||
| Peak Congestion by Metro | |||||||
| Metro | Route | Peak Congestion Period | Est. Travel Time | Increase Comparedto Typical | |||
| Atlanta | Atlanta to Augustavia I-20 E | Sunday 22nd1:45 PM | 2 hours54 minutes | 38% | |||
| Boston | Boston to Hyannisvia Pilgrim Hwy S | Friday 20th3:45 PM | 2 hours24 minutes | 100% | |||
| Chicago | Chicago to Milwaukeevia I-94 W | Sunday 22nd4:45 PM | 2 hours2 minutes | 69% | |||
| Denver | Fort Collins to Denvervia I-25 S | Sunday 29th1:00 PM | 1 hours31 minutes | 67% | |||
| Detroit | Detroit to Clevelandvia I-75 S | Monday 23rd4:30 PM | 3 hours23 minutes | 36% | |||
| Houston | Lafayette (LA) to Houstonvia I-10 W | Friday 27th5:45 PM | 4 hours54 minutes | 53% | |||
| Los Angeles | Los Angeles to Palm Springsvia I-10 E | Sunday 22nd7:45 PM | 2 hours53 minutes | 81% | |||
| Minneapolis | Eau Claire to Minneapolisvia I-94 W | Sunday 29th4:30 PM | 1 hours54 minutes | 46% | |||
| New York | New York to Hamptonsvia Long Island Expy E | Sunday 22nd4:30 PM | 2 hours39 minutes | 108% | |||
| Philadelphia | Philadelphia to Baltimore/DCvia I-95 S | Sunday 22nd4:45 PM | 2 hours4 minutes | 40% | |||
| Portland | Portland to Eugenevia I-5 S | Sunday 22nd3:45 PM | 2 hours23 minutes | 50% | |||
| San Diego | San Diego to Palm Springsvia I-15 N | Friday 20th6:15 PM | 3 hours7 minutes | 35% | |||
| San Francisco | San Francisco to Napavia I-80 E | Saturday 21st7:30 PM | 2 hours 2 minutes | 82% | |||
| Seattle | Seattle to Ellensburgvia I-90 W | Friday 20th7:00 PM | 3 hours18 minutes | 106% | |||
| Tampa | Gainesville to Tampavia I-75 S | Saturday 28th 10:30 AM | 2 hours54 minutes | 53% | |||
| Washington, DC | Washington, DC to Annapolisvia US-50 E | Thursday 19th4:30 PM | 1 hours17 minutes | 160% | |||
Source: INRIX
AAA’s Top Holiday Destinations
The top holiday destinations listed below are based on AAA booking data from December 21, 2024 to January 1, 2025. Tropical weather destinations top the list as many people head to beach resorts and 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.
| DOMESTIC | INTERNATIONAL/CARIBBEAN |
| ORLANDO, FL | PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC |
| FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | MEXICALI, MEXICO |
| MIAMI, FL | CANCUN, MEXICO |
| ANAHEIM/LOS ANGELES, CA | BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN |
| TAMPA, FL | PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO |
| LAS VEGAS, NV | SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA |
| HONOLULU, HI | SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO |
| CHARLESTON, SC | NASSAU, BAHAMAS |
| NEW ORLEANS, LA | ORANJESTAD, ARUBA |
| NEW YORK, NY | LONDON, ENGLAND |
Year-End Holiday Travel Period
For this forecast, the year-end holiday travel period is defined as the twelve-day period from Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1. AAA’s year-end holiday travel period can range from 10 to 13 days, depending on which day of the week Christmas and New Year’s Day fall. This year’s holiday travel period is two days longer than last year. While a longer holiday travel period can offer more options for departures and return trips, all the year-end holiday periods contain two weekends.
