AAA: Record number of travelers expected for year-end holiday period
Los Angeles, CA - November 16: Travelers arrive at Los Angeles International Airport the week before Thanksgiving in Los Angeles on Thursday, November 16, 2023. (Photo by Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE - Wisconsinites are expected to travel in record numbers during the year-end holiday period from Dec. 21 to Jan. 1.
According to a press release, AAA predicts 2.39 million Wisconsinites will travel 50 miles or more from home. That’s 76,278 more travelers than the previous record high, set last year.
"Travelers should expect the roads, airports and cruise terminals to be more crowded than normal," said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. "So, finalize your travel plans now and give yourself extra time to get to your destination. We also suggest travel insurance, which provides assistance in the event winter weather or something unexpected interferes with your plans."
Year-End Travelers by Mode
By Car:
AAA expects 2.5 million more people on the roads this year. Nationwide, an estimated 107 million people will take a road trip of 50 miles or more. That’s just shy of the record of 108 million road travelers – set in 2019.
Road travel is expected to set new records in Wisconsin. More than 2.1 million Wisconsinites are forecast to take a road trip. That’s 61,549 more Wisconsin road trippers than last year. Nearly 90% of holiday travelers will drive to their destinations, making it the most popular way to travel.
Gas prices are expected to be competitive with last year’s levels. To view updated national, state, and metro area gas price averages, visit GasPrices.AAA.com.
TSA at Milwaukee Mitchell International offers holiday travel tips
Ahead of a busy weekend kicking off the holiday travel season, officials with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are offering helpful tips so Milwaukee travelers are prepared to get through the checkpoint safely and efficiently.
AAA car rental partner Hertz says Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oahu, Orlando, Phoenix, and Tampa are the cities displaying the highest rental demand for the holidays. The busiest car pick-up days are expected to be Friday, December 20 and Saturday, December 21. The busiest time for rental returns is expected to be the weekend and Monday after Christmas. The average length of rental is one week.
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By Air:
Nationally, AAA expects air travel to set a new record this holiday season. Nearly 7.9 million Americans are forecast to take at least one domestic flight. That number surpasses the previous record of 7.5 million air travelers last year. AAA booking data shows flights are 4% more expensivethis holiday season compared to last year. The average domestic ticket is $830. International flights are 13% more expensive, averaging $1,630 a ticket.
By Other Modes:
The number of Americans traveling by bus, train, and cruise this holiday season is up nearly 10% compared to last year. AAA expects 4.47 million people will travel by other modes. That number is the highest it’s been in 20 years. Cruise bookings out of domestic ports are up 37% compared to last holiday season. Cruising is popular this time of year as many families enjoy celebrating the holidays aboard a ship full of activities and food.
Amazon offers $25 holiday flights for young Prime members
Amazon has partnered with StudentUniverse to offer $25 domestic flights to Prime members enrolled in the young adult plan, targeting individuals aged 18–24.
AAA’s Road Trip Safety Tips
Follow Posted Speed Limits: While it’s tempting to speed to save time, the facts don’t support it. Even minor increases in speed can make crashes deadly.
- Driving 80 mph instead of 75 mph over 100 miles saves only 5 minutes, hardly worth the risk.
- Speeding may feel faster but often leads to tragedy.
Drive Only When Alert and Refreshed: Driving on 4-5 hours of sleep is as dangerous as driving with a 0.08 BAC (legal intoxication). Less than 4 hours of sleep? The risk doubles.
- Travel during hours you’re normally awake and avoid overnight drives.
- Steer clear of heavy meals, drowsy medications, and alcohol.
- For long trips, take breaks every 2 hours or 100 miles. Use these breaks to switch drivers if possible, or park at a safe location and nap for 20-30 minutes to recharge.
Slow Down, Move Over: A roadside worker is killed every other week in the U.S. To help prevent these tragedies, AAA asks drivers to Slow Down, Move Over.
- When you see an emergency responder on the side of the road assisting a stranded driver, reduce your speed.
- If possible, change lanes to give those crews room to do their jobs safely.
- All 50 states and the District of Columbia have Move Over laws in place.
Best/Worst Times to Drive
INRIX expects drivers will experience the worst traffic delays the weekends before Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The holidays themselves are expected to have minimal congestion. Drivers in Boston, New York City, Seattle, and Washington, DC could see double the typical delays. Nationwide, travel times could be up to 30% longer.