Record travel expected for Christmas, New Year’s. Here are best, worst times to hit the road

ORLANDO, Fla. – A record 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from Dec. 20 to Jan. 1, according to AAA.

The prediction is a 2.2% increase over 2024, surpassing last year’s record of 119.7 million travelers.

The auto club projects 109.5 million Americans will travel by car. Driving remains the most popular mode of transportation due to its convenience and lower cost, with 89% of holiday travelers expected to take road trips.

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An estimated 7.5 million Floridians will be among those traveling for the holidays, with the majority choosing to travel by car. Road trips are expected to increase by nearly 200,000 compared to last year, a 2% increase.

Travelers are advised to plan ahead by booking plane tickets, hotel rooms and rental cars early to avoid last-minute hassles. AAA also suggests allowing extra travel time to accommodate potential delays, and consider purchasing travel insurance if flying during winter weather conditions.

Data from AAA shows domestic flight prices have risen 7% compared to last year, while hotel stays have increased by 13%.

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However, there is some relief at the pump, as gas prices are currently lower than last year. The national average has dipped below $3 per gallon for the first time in four years.

AAA’s year-end top destinations show warm-weather spots dominate, with Florida, Southern California, and Hawaii leading domestic travel. Caribbean and Mexican resort towns are also popular for celebrating the holidays and ringing in 2026.

Orlando remains the top U.S. destination and could see especially busy roads and airports during the holiday season.

Best/Worst Times to Drive

Christmas week is forecast to be busier on the roads than New Year’s week, but both weeks will see days of increased traffic, according to INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights.

• Interstates will be more congested the weekend before Christmas, as travelers hit the road on Saturday and Sunday ahead of the holiday.
• Friday, December 26 is also expected to be busy 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.
• Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are typically the lightest traffic-wise, but remember, crashes or severe weather could create unexpected delays.