AAA: Holiday travel expected to shatter records

AAA expects holiday travel this month will shatter pre-pandemic records.

It predicts more than 119 million Americans will travel for the holidays. More than 7 million Floridians have holiday travel plans.

That also breaks the previous record in the Sunshine State.

Nearly 6.5 million people in Florida are planning a road trip. AAA expects more than 380,000 will fly.

Nationwide 107 million people will hit the roads and nearly 8 million will head to the airport.

AAA expects travel times will be up to 30% longer this year because of traffic delays.

The worst backups are expected on the weekend before Christmas Day.

Sunday, Dec. 22, is expected to be the worst, nationwide. You’re also likely to see heavy traffic on the weekend before New Year’s Day.

The best times to drive each day from Dec. 21 through New Year’s Day, is either early in the morning, or at night.

Florida is a major travel destination this month.

The Sunshine State makes up four of the top five destinations. Orlando tops the list at No. 1, followed by Fort Lauderdale, and Miami.

Anaheim, California, is fourth. It’s the home of Disneyland. Tampa is No. 5.

Although flying and driving are the most common ways to travel, AAA also predicts nearly 4.5 million people will travel by bus, train or take a cruise. That’s the largest number in two decades.