AAA: Year-End Holiday Travel on Track to Break Records

AAA expects a record 122.4 million Americans to travel at least 50 miles from home during the year-end holiday period from Dec. 20 to Jan. 1. The projection marks a 2.2% increase over last year and surpasses 2024’s record of 119.7 million travelers.

Road trips will dominate holiday travel, with 109.5 million Americans driving—about 89% of all travelers. Lower gas prices are helping fuel the trend, with the national average dipping below $3 a gallon for the first time in four years. AAA urges motorists to stay safe during one of the most dangerous travel periods of the year and reminds drivers to Slow Down and Move Over for roadside workers. Last holiday season, AAA responded to more than 860,000 roadside emergencies.

Air travel is also expected to hit new highs. AAA projects 8.03 million people will fly domestically, the first time that number has exceeded 8 million. Average fares are up 7%, nearing $900 roundtrip.

Another 4.9 million travelers are expected to take buses, trains, or cruises—an increase driven largely by strong post-pandemic demand for cruising. Source: https://rvbusiness.com