According to AAA, there will be a significant increase in the number of travelers during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday period.
A projected 115.2 million people will be traveling 50 miles or more from their homes over the 10 days. This marks a 2.2% increase compared to last year and is the second-highest number of travelers recorded since AAA started monitoring travel in 2000. In fact, 2019 holds the record for the busiest Christmas and New Year’s travel period, with a total of 119 million travelers.
AAA East Central Senior Vice President Bevi Powell says this year’s holiday forecast is a perfect example of the strong travel trends they have been seeing all year. She noted more Americans are investing in travel, so they can make those special memories with loved ones and experience new places.
AAA’s year-end forecast for the East South Central region, which includes Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi, reveals that the majority of travelers will opt for automobiles, with 6.1 million individuals expected to travel by car. Additionally, 201,000 people plan to travel by air, while 267,000 individuals will use alternative modes of transportation like buses, trains, or ships. Overall, the region is projected to have a total of 65 million travelers.
AAA expects nearly 104 million people will drive to their holiday destinations, an increase of 1.8% compared to 2022. This year’s projected number of drivers is the second highest on record since 2019 when 108 million drivers hit the road for the holidays. As 2023 ends, drivers can expect to pay about the same or less for a gallon of gas than they did last holiday season, when the national average on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day was $3.10 and $3.20, respectively.
Airports are set to be the busiest ever during the Christmas and New Year’s travel period, with 7.5 million air travelers expected, surpassing the previous record of 7.3 million in 2019. According to AAA booking data, average ticket prices are also lower this year, with a roundtrip ticket to Orlando costing $613, down from $735 last year.
AAA projects over 4 million Americans will choose alternative transportation over Christmas and New Year’s, surpassing both 2022 and 2019 figures. AAA says the cruise industry is experiencing a post-pandemic surge in demand and is preparing for the wave of bookings that traditionally happens at the start of the new year.
