This Is the Best Time to Hit the Road for 2023 Holiday Travel, According to AAA

More than 115 million travelers are expected to travel over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, the second most in decades. 

In total, 115.2 million travelers are forecast to travel 50 miles or more from their homes over the 10-day holiday period from Saturday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, according to AAA. Of those, nearly 104 million people will hit the roads.

“This year-end holiday forecast, with an additional 2.5 million travelers compared to last year, mirrors what AAA Travel has been observing throughout 2023,” Paula Twidale, the senior vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement. “More Americans are investing in travel, despite the cost, to make memories with loved ones and experience new places.”

While many travelers will hit the skies, travel by cruise, or head out on trains, most will drive. The worst day on the roads will be Saturday, Dec. 23, and Thursday, Dec. 28, when travelers will experience plenty of congestion, according to the forecast. Additionally, travelers should expect more traffic on Saturday, Dec. 30, than a typical Saturday as many travelers either head home from the Christmas holiday or head out for New Year’s.

Drivers hoping to avoid the worst traffic should head out in the mornings (generally before noon) or after 7 p.m. Travelers should also see minimal traffic on Sunday, Dec. 24, Monday, Dec. 25, Sunday, Dec. 31, and Monday, Jan. 1.

Airports are also expected to be the busiest they’ve ever been over the holiday period. Overall, a record 7.5 million travelers are forecast to fly over the holidays, breaking the previous record of 7.3 million passengers in 2019.

AAA noted average ticket prices are down from 2022 with an average round-trip ticket to Orlando over the holiday period, for example, coming in at $613. That’s less than the same ticket cost of $735 last year.

Beyond planes and cars, more than 4 million Americans are forecast to travel by bus, train, or cruise.

“Savvy travelers know that right after the holidays is the best time to book a cruise,” Twidale said, adding it’s “when cruise lines offer some of the best deals.”