How Many Will Travel This Year? AAA Predicts Record Numbers

The Rise in Year-End Travel

As the year comes to a close, more people are hitting the roads, skies, and seas for their holiday travels. According to a recent release, AAA is projecting that 122.4 million Americans will travel "at least 50 miles from home over the 13-day year-end holiday period beginning Dec. 20 and ending Jan. 1." This forecast marks a 2.2% increase compared to 2024, surpassing last year’s record of 119.7 million travelers.

This surge in travel is not limited to one mode of transportation. It includes cars, planes, trains, and even cruises. Mark Schieldrop, spokesperson for AAA Northeast, noted in a written statement: “Holiday celebrations look different for everyone, but a common thread is the desire to travel, whether it’s returning to your hometown or exploring new destinations.”

Travel by Car: The Dominant Mode

The majority of travelers will be choosing to drive. AAA reported that 109.5 million Americans — 89% of holiday travelers — will travel by car for their year-end trips, representing a 2% increase from last year. For those renting cars, Hertz, an AAA car rental partner, expects Saturday, Dec. 20 to be the busiest pick-up day.

Busiest Times for Driving

While both Christmas week and New Year’s week will see increased traffic, INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, anticipates that Christmas week will be the most congested. Interstates will be particularly busy during the weekend before Christmas, with travelers hitting the road on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 20 and 21. Friday, Dec. 26, is also expected to be busy with post-Christmas Day travelers. Although Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day typically have lighter traffic, unexpected events like crashes or severe weather could cause delays.

Roadside Assistance Calls

Last year, during the year-end holiday period, AAA responded to more than 860,000 roadside assistance calls. These included help with dead batteries, flat tires, and empty fuel tanks. This highlights the importance of being prepared for potential issues while traveling.

Air Travel Trends

AAA also reported that a record 8.03 million travelers will take domestic flights this holiday season, a 2.3% increase from last year. This will be the first time that the number of domestic air travelers over the year-end holiday period exceeds 8 million.

Growth in Other Transportation Modes

Travel by train, cruise, and bus is also expected to rise. AAA stated that this category will see a 9% increase, with 4.9 million people traveling by these modes. Since 2019, this category has seen a 25% increase, showing a growing trend in alternative transportation choices.

Popular Holiday Destinations

According to AAA booking data, the top domestic holiday destinations include:

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

For international travel, the top destinations are:

• Cancun, Mexico
• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Cozumel, Mexico
• San Jose, Costa Rica
• Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

With so many people planning to travel this year, it's essential to stay informed about traffic patterns, road conditions, and travel tips to ensure a smooth and safe journey.