AAA expects record-breaking travel during end-of-year period

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – With the holidays in full swing, travelers can expect to find some busy roads and airports during the year’s end travel period, according to AAA.

More than 9 million Texans will be traveling 50 or more miles from home, as predicted. Across the nation, AAA anticipates around 119.3 million people. The busiest travel days are the ones leading up to Christmas, mostly the 23rd and 24th.

Daniel Armbruster with AAA told KBTX this will be Texas’ second busiest travel season ever topped only by 2019.

“This year’s overall travel volume will be about 2.5% higher than last year, and it will be 3.5% lower than the record in 2019,” Armbruster forecasted.

On the national level, Armbruster said AAA expects it to be the busiest year-end holiday on record. The reason he said this is because people want to make memories with loved ones and friends.

“Travel plays a big role in that, and so we’ve seen this play out in the summer. We saw record travel over the 4th of July, record travel over Thanksgiving,” he listed. “It’s been a record-breaking year for travel- which was anticipated for the last few years. Coming out of Covid-19, we started seeing travel books for 2024 in 2021 and 2022.”

AAA also expects out of all of the travelers, 90% of them will get on the road, and there is some good news at the pump.

“We are coming into the holiday season cheaper than where we were a year ago now. Of course, with so many people traveling that is going to put pressure on demand. So, don’t be surprised if you see gas prices fluctuate a little bit,” said Armbruster.

For those driving, AAA wants to remind them of a few safety tips and precautions. For starters, Armbruster said most calls for roadside assistance received around this time of year are for dead batteries and flat tires; both of which should be checked before taking off.

He also recommended driving within the speed limit and making sure the driver receives at least seven hours of sleep, driving with four or less doubles the risk of a wreck.

Armbruster suggested drivers to keep several items on hand in case of an emergency, “Having a roadside emergency kit that includes a snow brush and ice scraper, extra blankets, extra coats for the temperatures is going to be important. Don’t forget about your passengers and your pets. Have enough supplies for them as well, and of course, nonperishable food and bottled water are very important while you’re waiting for help.”

Even with so many getting in their cars, AAA still expects many to take to the skies.

“Prices are up about 13% internationally,” he revealed. “It’s 4% more expensive here domestically than it was a year [ago]. So, even though prices are more expensive for flights we still see record air travel as well.”

AAA expects travelers to start heading back home by the 27th and 28th. For those leaving and coming back, there are some suggestions on how you can make things a bit easier.

“Traffic volumes tend to be lighter in the morning hours before noon. Certainly, as the day goes on more people get on the road, travel volumes pick up, especially along those major arteries and in major metro areas. If you can avoid those major arteries, those major metro areas in the afternoon and evenings, that’s going to be your best bet. But really, anytime throughout the holiday period, you could run into extra traffic or congestion,” warned Armbruster.

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