Record Number Of Holiday Travelers Expected To Hit Roads Beginning Saturday

With the Christmas holidays looming, an estimated 122.5 million people are expected to begin trips at least 50 miles from their homes beginning this Saturday, according to the American Automobile Association which tracks annual travel data.

Most of them will be driving, said Jim Garrity, the company’s east central director of Public Affairs.

“This is 2.2% more than last year. It’s a new record,” Garrity said. “It’s exciting to see, but it does mean for anyone who’s traveling that you’re going to want to make sure you’re giving yourself plenty of time.”

Peak drive times each day, Garrity said, are between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. He also said drivers can expect roads near major metropolitan areas to be even more crowded.

AAA has a few recommendations for easing the stress:

• Avoid peak travel times 
• Plan for delays
• Consider driving on the holidays when roads will be less busy
• Don’t count on last minute hotel deals – make your reservations before you go
• If your holiday plans include enjoying adult beverages, plan ahead of time how to get home safely
• Dec. 26 is expected to be another busy travel day so plan accordingly

In addition to drivers on the nation’s roadways, airports are also likely to be slammed.

“We’re projecting more than eight million people who are going to be flying nationwide, which is a 2-3% increase over last year,” Garrity said.

Nationwide, gas prices are at about a four-year low, Garrity said. But he added that even in places where those prices are higher, they don’t keep many people off the roadways. Data shows drivers may cut costs in other ways but are willing to pay the price of getting home for the holidays.