AAA forecasts that a record 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the holiday season this year, spanning Dec. 20 through Jan. 1. This represents a 2.2% increase over last year and surpasses the previous high of 119.7 million travelers, making it the busiest year-end holiday travel period ever.
Most travelers are expected to drive, with 109.5 million people, or 89% of holiday travelers, hitting the road—up 2% from last year. Lower gas prices, which have fallen below $3 a gallon nationally for the first time in four years, are encouraging road trips. Authorities are urging drivers to exercise caution, especially during National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, advising reduced speeds and lane changes near stopped vehicles to keep roadside workers safe.
Air travel is also climbing, with roughly 8.03 million travelers projected to fly domestically, a 2.3% increase from last year, and the first time more than 8 million passengers are expected over the holidays. Round-trip domestic flights average nearly $900, about 7% higher than last year, with the highest prices occurring just before Christmas.
Other forms of travel, including trains, buses, and cruises, are rising as well, with nearly 4.9 million travelers expected. Cruise demand, in particular, is driving growth as people seek warm-weather escapes and low-stress ways to celebrate the new year.
Popular destinations this season are largely warm-weather locations. Domestically, Orlando tops the list, followed by Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Anaheim/Los Angeles, and Honolulu. Internationally, Cancun is the leading destination, with Punta Cana, Cozumel, San Jose, Puerto Vallarta, and San Juan completing the top ten.