Christmas Travel Woes: Worst Time for Floridians to Drive or Fly

Holiday Travel Trends in Florida

More Floridians than ever are expected to hit the roads or take to the skies this holiday season, according to AAA. This trend is not limited to Thanksgiving but extends into the year-end holiday period. Here's how you can make your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable.

According to AAA, about 7.5 million Floridians will be traveling at least 50 miles from their homes for family visits, vacation destinations, or simply to get away. This represents a 3.4% increase compared to last year. These numbers are part of a larger national trend, with an estimated 122.4 million Americans heading out for holiday cheer over the 13-day period starting on December 20 and ending on January 1. This marks a 2.2% increase over 2024's record.

Of those travelers, 6.7 million Floridians are expected to be sharing the roads, which is 198,000 more than last year. To avoid the busiest times, it’s advisable to try and avoid driving on the weekend ahead of Christmas or the Friday after if possible.

Breakdown of Florida Holiday Travel

Here's a detailed look at the types of travel expected in Florida:

• Total travelers: 7.5 million (+3.4% / 244,000 more than last year)
• By vehicle: 6.7 million (+3% / 198,000 more than last year)
• By air: 394,548 (+2.5% / 9,500 more than last year)
• By other modes (bus, train, cruise): 383,228 (+10.5% / 36,000 more than last year)

National Holiday Travel Overview

On a national scale, the numbers are equally impressive:

• Total travelers: 122.4 million (+2% / 2.7 million more than last year)
• By vehicle: 109.5 million (+2% / 2.1 million more than last year)
• By air: 8 million (+2% / 181,000 more than last year)
• By other modes (bus, train, cruise): 4.9 million (+9% / 407,000 more than last year)

Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA, said, “People are eager to travel this holiday season. 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.”

Costs and Trends

Gas prices are lower than last year, with the national average price per gallon dropping below $3 for the first time in four years. However, tickets for domestic flights are up $890 on average (7% over last year), domestic hotel stays are up an average of $750 (13%), and rental cars are up an average of $635 (1%).

International flights are down 14%, with an average cost of $1,400.

Worst Times to Drive

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects Saturday, December 20, and Sunday, December 21, to be the most congested periods as travelers hit the road ahead of the holiday. Friday, December 26, is also expected to be swamped.

The worst times to load up the family and head out will be:

• Saturday, Dec. 20: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 21: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 22: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 23: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 24: Minimal traffic impact expected
• Thursday, Christmas Day: Minimal traffic impact expected
• Friday, Dec. 26: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 27: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 28: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 29: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 30: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 31: Minimal traffic impact expected
• Thursday, New Year's Day: Minimal traffic impact expected

Remember that construction, crashes, or severe weather can also impact travel times.

Cheapest Times to Fly

Domestic air travelers are expected to break 8 million this year for the first time on record, according to AAA. The average ticket, based on what travelers paid when they booked holiday trips, is nearly $900.

If cost is a primary issue, consider flying on Christmas Day itself when rates are cheaper. The days leading up to the holiday will be the most expensive, AAA said. Flights on New Year's Day will also be pricey as many people head home then.

Renting a Car

For travelers who are renting cars, AAA car rental partner, Florida-based Hertz, said Saturday, December 20 is expected to be the busiest pick-up day.

The top five markets with the highest demand are:

• Orlando
• Los Angeles
• Atlanta
• Miami
• Phoenix

Popular Destinations

Four Florida cities made the top 10 of most popular destinations for Christmas 2025, based on AAA booking data. The top 10 domestic sites are:

• Orlando
• Fort Lauderdale
• Miami
• Anaheim/Los Angeles, California
• Honolulu, Hawaii
• Tampa
• New York City, New York
• Maui
• Dallas/Forth Worth, Texas
• Las Vegas, Nevada