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This year's holiday travel season is expected to set a new record, with AAA projecting that 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between December 20 and January 1. This marks a 2.2% increase over last year's record of 119.7 million travelers. According to AAA, the majority of travelers, approximately 109.5 million, will be hitting the road, benefiting from gas prices that have dropped below $3 per gallon for the first time in four years.
Air travel is also expected to reach new heights, with a projected 8.03 million people flying domestically, marking a 2.3% increase from last year. TravelPulse reports that this will be the first time the number of domestic air travelers during the year-end holiday period exceeds 8 million.
Other modes of transportation, such as buses, trains, and cruises, are also on the rise, with a 9% increase expected. This category has seen a significant 25% increase since 2019, driven largely by the post-pandemic demand for cruises.
AAA's Vice President of Travel, Stacey Barber, noted that holiday travel is a blend of family road trips, friend getaways, and tropical vacations. Popular destinations include Florida, Southern California, and Hawaii, as well as Caribbean locations and Mexican resort towns.
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