As you wrap up your week and anticipate traveling to see relatives, loved ones and special places, AAA forecasts that you definitely won’t be alone. Between this Saturday, Dec. 23 through Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, AAA anticipates more than 107 million Americans will be traveling by plane, train and automobile — the highest year-end on record.
Worst days and times to travel this holiday season
| Metro Area | Worst Day for Travel | Worst Time for Travel | Delay Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 3:30 – 5:30 PM | 3x |
| Los Angeles, CA | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 3:30 – 6:00 PM | 2.5x |
| Washington, DC | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 3:00 – 6:00 PM | 2.5x |
| San Francisco, CA | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 3:00 – 5:30 PM | 2x |
| Chicago, IL | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 4:00 – 6:00 PM | 2x |
| Boston, MA | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 2:30 – 4:30 PM | 2x |
| Seattle, WA | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 4:00 – 6:00 PM | 2x |
| Atlanta, GA | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 4:30 – 6:30 PM | 1.5x |
| Houston, TX | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 5:30 – 7:30 PM | 1.5x |
| Detroit, MI | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 3:00 – 5:30 PM | 1.5x |
Source: INRIX
Where is everyone going?
For a second year, Orlando and Anaheim, California, homes to Disney World and Disneyland, respectively, are the top spots, according to AAA’s bookings. The top hotspots for U.S. travelers this holiday season include:
- Orlando, Fla.
- Anaheim, Calif.
- Cancun, Mexico
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Kahului (Maui), Hawaii
- Montego Bay, Jamaica
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
- Miami, Fla.
- Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- New York, N.Y.
AAA Travel Tips
- Try to avoid traveling through major cities during peak travel times. The best times to leave are typically early morning or after the morning commute because the roads should be less crowded and you will have more time to get to your destination safely. If your schedule permits, traveling on the holiday itself often results in fewer cars on the road.
- Airports will be busy and security lines may be longer than usual around the holidays. Travelers should plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to the scheduled departure of their flight. During peak travel times, contact your airline for guidance, as it may be necessary to arrive even earlier. This time of year travelers need to also be aware of potential weather delays. Make sure to check flight status regularly before traveling to the airport. To expedite travel, AAA recommends enrolling in programs such as TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.
- Get plenty of rest before setting out on a holiday road trip and schedule breaks every two hours or 100 miles to remain alert and avoid driving drowsy. Also, be aware of the dangers of driving distracted. Drivers should designate a passenger to serve as their official text messenger and navigator.
Read more from AAA’s reporting the AAA Newsroom.