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Hitting the road for Christmas? Here are the best, worst times to travel

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Hitting the road for Christmas? Here are the best, worst times to travel

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  • Nearly 120 million travelers are expected this holiday season, AAA said
  • 107 million travelers are expected to drive
  • 6.4 million Floridians expected to be on the road

If you’re planning to hit the road, you might want to get an early start. Experts say the odds are better you’ll avoid the 6.4 million other drivers that auto club AAA expects will be sharing the highways with you this holiday season.

AAA predicts nearly 120 million travelers will be out there over the holiday, with 107 million of them in vehicles, down from 2019’s record of 108 million but well over last year’s number of 104.5 million. Floridians will be out there too, more than 7.1 million of them, AAA said Tuesday. That’s 220,000 more travelers than the previous record high, set last year.

“This is the time of year when lifelong memories are made with loved ones, and travel plays a big role in that,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “This year, with Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday, we’re anticipating record-breaking travel numbers the weekend before and the weekend after the holiday.”  

Nearly 90% of holiday travelers will be sharing the highways with you, AAA said Here’s how to deal with them.

What are the best times for driving for Christmas 2024?

The best time to get some miles in on the road is on Christmas Day itself, when interstates and highways are typically emptier, INRIX said.

On every other day, your best bet is to try and leave earlier in the mornings, INRIX analysts said.

Best times to drive:

  • Thursday, Dec. 19: Before 11 a.m.
  • Friday, Dec. 20: Before 11 a.m.
  • Saturday, Dec.. 21: Before 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, Dec. 22: Before 12 p.m.
  • Monday, Dec. 23: Before 11 a.m.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 24: Minimal traffic impact expected 
  • Wednesday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day): Minimal traffic impact expected 
  • Thursday, Dec. 26: Before 11 a.m.
  • Friday, Dec. 27: Before 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, Dec. 28: Before 11 a.m.
  • Sunday, Dec. 29: Before 11 a.m.
  • Monday, Dec. 30: Before 2 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve): Minimal traffic impact expected 
  • Wednesday, Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day): Minimal traffic impact expected 
  • Thursday, Jan. 2: Before 3 p.m.

What are the worst times for driving for Christmas 2024?

According to transportation data analysis site INRIX, the worst times to throw the family in the car will be the weekend before Christmas Day, and the afternoons and evenings of practically every other day around it.

“With a near record number of auto travelers expected this holiday season, drivers should expect delays in and around major metro areas, with Sunday, December 22 expected to be the nation’s worst day to travel,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Our advice is to avoid traveling during peak commuting hours during the week. If schedules allow, leave bright and early or after the evening commute.” 

Worst travel times:

  • Thursday, Dec. 19: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Friday, Dec. 20: 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, Dec.. 21: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, Dec. 22: 3 p,.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Monday, Dec. 23: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 24: Minimal traffic impact expected 
  • Wednesday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day): Minimal traffic impact expected 
  • Thursday, Dec. 26: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Friday, Dec. 27: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Dec. 28: 1:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Dec. 29: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Monday, Dec. 30: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve): Minimal traffic impact expected 
  • Wednesday, Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day): Minimal traffic impact expected 
  • Thursday, Jan. 2: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Renting a car? Here are the best times to pick it up and take it back

Miami, Orlando and Tampa are three of the busiest cities in the country for car rentals around the holiday season, according to car rental agency Hertz.

“The busiest car pick-up days are expected to be Friday, December 20 and Saturday, December 21,” Hertz said in the release. “The busiest time for rental returns is expected to be the weekend and Monday after Christmas. The average length of rental is one week.” 

Travel tips from AAA

“With an additional 2.5 million travelers expected on the roads during this year-end holiday travel period, AAA urges drivers to prioritize safety with the following tips:”

  • Follow posted speed limits: Speeding may feel faster but doesn’t make that much difference and the risk isn’t worth it
  • Drive only when alert and refreshed: Driving on 4 or 5 hours of sleep is as dangerous as driving with a 0.08 blood alcohol level, AAA said. If you get less than 4 hours of sleep, the risk doubles. Avoid heavy meals, drowsy medications and alcohol before you get in the car and take breaks every tow hours or 100 miles.
  • Slow down, move over: All 50 states and Washington D.C. have Move Over laws. Florida’s law, which requires motorists to move over a lane then they can safely do so for stopped law enforcement and emergency responders, was expanded to include dishabled vehicles and other hazards.

Worst times to drive in major metro areas

Atlanta

  • Route: Atlanta to Augusta via I-20 E
  • Peak congestion: Sunday 22, 1:45 p.m.
  • Est. travel time: 2 hours, 54 minutes
  • Increase compared to typical: 38%

Boston

  • Route: Boston to Hyannis via Pilgrim Hwy S
  • Peak congestion: Friday 20, 3:45 p.m.
  • Est. travel time: 2 hours, 24 minutes
  • Increase compared to typical: 100%

Chicago

  • Route: Chicago to Milwaukee via I-94 W
  • Peak congestion: Sunday 22, 4:45 p.m.
  • Est. travel time: 2 hours, 2 minutes
  • Increase compared to typical: 69%

Denver

  • Route: Fort Collins to Denver via I-25 S
  • Peak congestion: Sunday 29, 1 p.m.
  • Est. travel time: 1 hour, 31 minutes
  • Increase compared to typical: 67%

Detroit

  • Route: Detroit to Cleveland via I-75 S
  • Peak congestion: Monday 23, 4:30 p.m.
  • Est. travel time: 3 hours, 23 minutes
  • Increase compared to typical: 36%

Houston

  • Route: Lafayette (LA) to Houston via I-10 W
  • Peak congestion: Friday 27, 5:45 p.m.
  • Est. travel time: 4 hours, 54 minutes
  • Increase compared to typical: 53%

Los Angeles

  • Route: Los Angeles to Palm Springs via I-10 E
  • Peak congestion: Sunday 22, 7:45 p.m.
  • Est. travel time: 2 hours, 53 minutes
  • Increase compared to typical: 81%

Minneapolis

  • Route: Eau Claire to Minneapolis via I-94 W
  • Peak congestion: Sunday 29, 4:30 p.m.
  • Est. travel time: 1 hour, 54 minutes
  • Increase compared to typical: 46%

New York

  • Route: New York to Hamptons via Long Island Expy E
  • Peak congestion: Sunday 22, 4:30 p.m.
  • Est. travel time: 2 hours, 39 minutes
  • Increase compared to typical: 108%

Philadelphia

  • Route: Philadelphia to Baltimore/DC via I-95 S
  • Peak congestion: Sunday 22, 4:45 p.m.
  • Est. travel time: 2 hours, 4 minutes
  • Increase compared to typical: 40%

Portland

  • Route: Portland to Eugene via I-5 S
  • Peak congestion: Sunday 22, 3:45 p.m.
  • Est. travel time: 2 hours, 23 minutes
  • Increase compared to typical: 50%

San Diego

  • Route: San Diego to Palm Springs via I-15 N
  • Peak congestion: Friday 20, 6:15 p.m.
  • Est. travel time: 3 hours, 7 minutes
  • Increase compared to typical: 35%

San Francisco

  • Route: San Francisco to Napa via I-80 E
  • Peak congestion: Saturday 21, 7:30 p.m.
  • Est. travel time: 2 hours 2 minutes
  • Increase compared to typical: 82%

Seattle

  • Route: Seattle to Ellensburg via I-90 W
  • Peak congestion: Friday 20, 7:00 p.m.
  • Est. travel time: 3 hours, 18 minutes
  • Increase compared to typical: 106%

Tampa

  • Route: Gainesville to Tampa via I-75 S
  • Peak congestion: Saturday 28, 10:30 p.m.
  • Est. travel time: 2 hours, 54 minutes
  • Increase compared to typical: 53%

Washington, D.C.

  • Route: Washington, DC to Annapolis via US-50 E
  • Peak congestion: Thursday 19, 4:30 p.m.
  • Est. travel time: 1 hour, 17 minutes
  • Increase compared to typical: 160%
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