This holiday season, nearly 120 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between Dec. 21, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025, AAA said. Domestic travel is expected to reach a new record with 3 million more people traveling this year than in 2023.
“Christmas Day falls on a Wednesday this year, which puts the pre- and post-holiday weekend up for grabs for travelers,” Mark Schieldrop, senior AAA Northeast spokesman, said in a statement. “We continue to see demand for travel increase this time of year as Americans visit family and friends and take on new destinations.”
About 90 percent of vacation travelers will drive to their destination with 107 million hitting the road, up 2.5 million from 2023, AAA reported.
The busiest rental car pickup days will be Dec. 20 and 21, AAA said.
“The busiest time for rental returns is expected to be the weekend after Christmas and the following Monday,” AAA said.
This holiday season, 7.85 million people will fly, surpassing the previous record of 7.5 million in 2023, AAA said.
Domestic and international flights will be 4% and 13% more expensive than last year, respectively, AAA said.
The number of Americans traveling by bus, train and cruise this holiday season is up nearly 10 percent from 2023, AAA said. Almost 4.5 million people will travel by other means of transport. Domestic cruise bookings are up 37% compared to last holiday season.