by Donald Wood
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Fri December 15, 2023
New data from AAA found that nearly 104 million people will
drive to their destinations during the 2023 winter holiday travel period, an
increase of 1.8 percent compared to last year.
As a result, AAA and transportation insight provider INRIX
revealed there will be several days of potentially lousy traffic during the
10-day holiday period, with Saturday, December 23, and Thursday, December 28,
being the most congested days on the road.
Research from INRIX also found that on Saturday, December
30, when many people head home from their holiday destinations or travel for
New Year’s Eve, they will see an increase in traffic compared to a typical
Saturday. The best times to hit the road are before lunchtime or after 7 p.m.
local time.
“Nationwide, drivers could see travel times up to 20% longer
this holiday season. In major metros, especially in Denver, Minneapolis, and
Washington, DC, drivers could experience nearly double the typical delays,”
INRIX transportation analyst Bob Pishue said. “Avoid peak commuting hours and
use traffic apps, local DOT notifications, and 511 services to minimize holiday
travel traffic frustrations.”
Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car
Please note that the times listed below are for the time zone in which the metro is located.
| Date | Worst Travel Time
| Best Travel Time
|
| Saturday, Dec 23 | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Before 10:00 AM |
| Sunday, Dec 24 | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected |
| Monday, Dec 25 | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected |
| Tuesday, Dec 26 | 1:00 – 5:00 PM | Before 12:00 PM |
| Wednesday, Dec 27 | 1:00 – 7:00 PM | Before 12:00 PM |
| Thursday, Dec 28 | 2:00 – 8:00 PM | Before 12:00 PM |
| Friday, Dec 29 | 2:00 – 8:00 PM | Before 12:00 PM |
| Saturday, Dec 30 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Before 12:00 PM |
| Sunday, Dec 31 | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected |
| Monday, Jan 01 | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected |
Top Year-End Holiday Destinations
This holiday season, many travelers are heading to warm weather destinations like Florida and the Caribbean, tourist hotspots like New York and Las Vegas, and European cities like London and Rome. Here are top domestic and international destinations, based on AAA flight booking data.
| DOMESTIC | INTERNATIONAL/U.S. TERRITORIES |
| Orlando, FL | London, England |
| Anaheim, CA | St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Chicago, IL | Aruba |
| Charlotte, NC | Dublin, Ireland |
| Miami, FL | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Atlanta, GA | Rome, Italy |
| Las Vegas, NV | Reykjavík, Iceland |
| New York, NY | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Phoenix, AZ | Montego Bay, Jamaica |
| Houston, TX | Costa Rica |
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