Record Holiday Travel: Over 122 Million Americans Hit the Road
‘Tis the season for travel. A record 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the as the end of the 13-day Christmas-New Year Holiday ends January 1, according to AAA. This year’s forecast is a 2.2 percent increase over 2024, surpassing last year’s record of 119.7 million travelers.
It comes as gas prices have four-year lows, raising optimism about explosive economic growth in 2026.
“Year-end travel is a mix of family road trips, friend getaways and tropical vacations,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “Holiday celebrations look different for everyone, but a common thread is the desire to travel, whether it’s returning to your hometown or exploring new destinations.”
An estimated 109.5 million people will travel by car for their year-end trips, an increase of 2 percent compared to last year. Driving is the overwhelming favorite among all modes of transportation because of its convenience and low cost. This year, 89 percent of holiday travelers will take road trips. Gas prices are lower compared to last holiday season, when the national average was $3.04 to end 2024. For the first time in four years, the national average dropped below $3 a gallon this month, and prices could continue falling as 2025 comes to a close.
With a record number of car travelers, AAA urges drivers to prioritize safety. During 2024’s year-end holiday period, the organization responded to more than 860,000 emergency roadside assistance calls to help stranded drivers with issues such as dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks.
AAA also projects that a record 8.03 million travelers will take domestic flights this holiday season, a 2.3 percent increase compared to last year. This will be the first time on record that the number of domestic air travelers over the year-end holiday period exceeds eight million. A roundtrip domestic flight is 7 percent more expensive this year, averaging nearly $900 a ticket. The days leading up to Christmas Day are the most expensive, while flying on the holiday itself is cheaper.
Travel by other modes also is expected to go up by 9 percent, with 4.9 million people traveling by bus, train or cruise. This category has seen a 25 percent increase since 2019, due mainly to the record-setting post-pandemic demand for cruises.
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