AAA Projects Record Travelers for 13-Day, Year-End Travel Period

The holiday travel period begins December 20.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - AAA projects 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the 13-day, year-end holiday travel period, which runs from December 20 through January 1. 

This year's forecast is a 2.2 percent increase over 2024, surpassing last year's record of 119.7 million travelers. 

Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel says year-end travel is a mix of family road trips, friend getaways, and tropical vacations. 

Of the 122.4 million projected travelers, AAA estimates 109.5 million will travel by vehicle for their year-end trips, up two percent from last year. 

With a record number of car travelers, AAA urges drivers to prioritize safety. December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, which serves as a timely reminder to make safe choices and stay vigilant. 

During 2024's year-end holiday period, AAA responded to more than 860,000 emergency roadside assistance calls to help stranded drivers with issues like dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks. 

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects Christmas week to be busier on the roads than New Year's week. 

Interstates will be extra congested the weekend before Christmas, as travelers hit the road on Saturday and Sunday ahead of the holiday. Friday, December 26 is also expected to be busy as travelers make moves post-Christmas Day.