A record number of people are expected to travel this Christmas season, spurred on by economic comfort and relatively modest gas prices.
More than 102 million people, according to survey projections by Inrix and AAA, plan to drive 50 miles or more during the holiday season. Combined with those who expect to travel by other modes, more than one-third of the nation is headed out from home. About 112.5 million people in the United States are expected to travel for the year-end holidays, according to a AAA news release.
Inrix, a traffic data firm, forecast that the worst time to travel to or from 10 major cities is a mix. For Washington, Los Angeles and New York, traffic will be at its worst Thursday. In Boston, Houston and Seattle, it will come Wednesday. Atlanta, where traffic will be four times the normal volume, shows Saturday afternoon as the worst of it, while Chicago and Detroit won’t see their heaviest traffic until Monday, Christmas Eve.
“Drivers must be prepared for delays in major metro areas, with Thursday, Dec. 20, being the worst day to travel,” said Trevor Reed, an Inrix travel analyst. “Avoid traveling during peak commuter hours. Leave bright and early or after the morning commute.”
AAA says gas prices recently dropped to the lowest national averages of the year, at $2.46 per gallon nationwide during the first week of December.
“Strong economic growth fueled by robust consumer spending continues to drive strong demand for seasonal travel,” Bryan Shilling, who manages AAA Travel products and services, said in a statement. “With a record-breaking one-third of the country choosing to travel this holiday, roadways and airports are sure to be busy.”